"One man was in the water and clinging to the capsized canoe and the other had partially lifted himself onto the stern. Neither man had a lifejacket on. James asked them if they could swim and neither could.
When the canoe flipped, all the contents scattered across the lake, so James and Emmett paddled to retrieve the life jackets. When someone is submerged in the water, it is near impossible to get a life jacket on the person as the jacket keeps floating to the surface. Emmett managed to get at least an arm through the jacket on both men. It was clear that the men were exhausted and cold."
On May 28, 2022, the Lifesaving Society awarded both James and Emmett the Silver Medal of Merit that acknowledges meritorious service in saving a life during a water rescue. The Lifesaving Society is a not-for-profit organization committed to the prevention of drowning and aquatic-related injury through water safety education.