On June 25, 1997, 13-year-old Bryan Balkam rescued a friend from drowning in Salt Lake, Oxford, Nova Scotia. While swimming across the lake, Bryan's 12-year-old friend developed severe cramps and called for help as he struggled to keep afloat. The boy's mother attempted to rescue him but he pulled her underwater. In complete exhaustion and unable to help her son, she called Bryan for help. Although tired from swimming, Bryan did not hesitate to dive back in. As he headed towards the victim, he became entangled in eel-grass but managed to free himself. He reached his friend and grabbed him by the shoulders, but the panicked victim pulled him under. Once he resurfaced, Bryan turned on his back and began swimming with the bigger and heavier boy in tow. As they neared the shore, he tried to stand but could barely touch the bottom of the lake. He finally made his way towards the boy's mother who helped them out of the lake.