An app makes it possible for skiers with smartphones to find people buried in the snow after an avalanche. For those buried under the weight of an avalanche, every minute is precious. A person saved from a snow mass within 15 minutes has a 90 per cent chance of survival. But after 45 minutes, that chance diminishes considerably.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140313092418.htm