[Margaret Pilkington]

No, i think if you have any doubt about your own ability to help, then you should stay out of the water...although there are things you can do...like looking for a branch to hold out to the person in difficulty...but make sure your own footing is safe and firm. I once saved my brother from drowning in a local lodge by using a thick branch...i held it out to him and he grabbed hold and I was able to pull him out of the water. I still got a good hiding as we were not allowed down at the lodge without a grown up.

Children rarely see the dangers and water is a real magnet ......maybe he should not have been playing there in the first place.