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ALTA, Utah (AP) -- Europeans are bringing expertise -- and technology -- on avalanche safety to Utah.
A Swiss engineer was at Snowbird resort this weekend to show off a device meant for surviving a deadly snow slide.
It's a set of air bags designed into a backpack for floating atop avalanche debris. Skiers hit a rip cord to activate the air bags.
Engineer Manuel Genswein says the $1,000 air bag system is making its introduction in North America after years of use around Europe, where he says it has proven 98 percent effective.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
