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Lost Snowboarder's iPod Alerts Rescuers

by Lee Bains on January 8, 2009 at 10:38 AM



Lost in the New Mexico mountains during a fierce snowstorm, 19-year-old snowboarder Sebastian Gomez wound up alone, with an iPod as his only companion, according to CBSNews.

That iPod -- not iPhone, mind you -- wound up saving his life.

Having stopped to wipe down his goggles, Gomez's friend Greg Blea lost sight of his snowboarding partner and, despite his best efforts, could not find him amidst the blinding snow. Blea contacted rescue workers and, not long after, joined a 100 person crew -- complete with helicopters, snowmobiles and dogs -- as they relentlessly searched the mountains.

After 26 hours of hopeful desperation, Gomez -- hearing a helicopter overhead -- turned on his iPod and waved it wildly at the night sky. Rescuers, equipped with night vision goggles, spotted the light from overhead and swooped down to retrieve the lost teenager, who had wound up in four feet of snow, a mile away from the designated slopes.

Gomez is, we are glad to report, doing just fine.

Judging from recent tales, there's definitely something to be said for bringing your MP3 player on ski trips (and into battle). Just be sure not to do anything foolish and battery-draining, like listening to it. [From: CBSNews]

Tags: skiing, snowboarding, top

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