In the afternoon of Labour Day 1981, Gilles Mailloux, risking his own life, rescued a perfect stranger from drowning. Entering the channel between Ile Dupas and Ile à l'Aigle, near Sorel, in the St. Lawrence, a man and a woman were aboard their cruiser, when the man lost his footing and fell into deep water. Mr. Mailloux, at the wheel of his speedboat, saw the man disappear. Though a poor swimmer having no experience in lifesaving techniques, he answered the woman's cries for help and dove in fully clothed. He found the man unconscious below the surface and struggled to bring him up, then fought the strong current to keep both afloat. The effort brought him close to exhaustion but he persisted until a third boat arrived. Mr. Mailloux climbed on board as other hands held the victim; moments later, after regaining his breath, he noticed that the man was still in the water. Mr. Mailloux hauled him on board and applied artificial respiration. The man recovered.