I have heard of a product called avalung which enables one to have more breathing time if buried in snow. I have not personally used this product.

I have seen a POV video on the net where a skier is buried (and dug out) and is breathing under the snow with his avalung.
Here is the link to the video http://vimeo.com/6581009 and here is the link to the avalung product at REI http://www.rei.com/product/705146?cm_mmc...CFQ975Qod3i4FTA

Another piece of equipment which may be of interest is an Avalanche airbag system. There is some physics rule that allows larger objects to "flow" on the top of the moving snow. It is essentially a back pack with air bags that inflate when activated to make you a "larger object" and thus stay on top (or at least closer to the top) of the moving snow.

I know very little about avalanche search/rescue/survival and I am sure there are others around here who can speak more intelligently on the subject matter then myself.

And I agree with PackRat about taking an avalanche safety course. Which is something I would like to do one day.