Ivanhoe Newswire
Copyright 2008 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.

ATLANTA, Ga. — Each year, there are over 7,000 drowning deaths, many in rough, choppy waters of rivers and oceans. But rescue efforts in swift water are among the most difficult for emergency teams. Now, a new rescue device makes saving lives easier.

The water's edge may seem peaceful and serene, but to emergency workers, a fast moving river can be deadly.

"We had a group of kids that decided they were going to help with the recovery effort that we were doing and ended up being victims themselves," Wayne Akers EMT and recovery diver for Swift Water Rescue, told Ivanhoe.

Rescue efforts in swift water can be difficult. Now, industrial design students from Virginia Tech have created a water rescue harness. It was a class project, that's ready for a real rescue.

Full Story: 'Hydro-spine' device works as a floatation