COEUR d'ALENE - Without the split-second decision of an 11-year-old girl, a day by the pool last month would have led to tragedy for the Love family.

Josephine Love, of Coeur d'Alene, told The Press that she took her family to enjoy a day at a friend's pool.

Minutes after a family member took Love's 3-year-old daughter, Airabella, to the restroom, the toddler was able to get back in the pool unnoticed without her life jacket. Love said she and the other mothers were right by the pool keeping an eye on the kids, when all of a sudden she heard someone screaming Airabella's name.

"I looked over and she looked dead in the water. She was a gray color and was unconscious," Love said. "It was horrifying and surreal. It almost felt like time froze."

The mother immediately jumped into the water and was able to "heave" Airabella from the pool. But the little girl was in the deep end, which made it tough for Love to climb from the pool in her soaked clothes.

That's when Love's 11-year-old daughter, Sequoia, jumped into action.

"She had already gotten out of the pool and saw her (Airabella) laying there and just started doing resuscitation on her," Love said. "It caused Airabella to vomit up all of the water that she had taken in and she came to."

Love added that Sequoia has been taking swim classes for years and learned proper resuscitation techniques during those classes.

After a brief stay in the hospital, Airabella was able to make a complete recovery.

"It was a very earth-shattering and traumatic experience," Love said. "But she's perfectly healthy now."

During Tuesday night's Coeur d'Alene City Council meeting, Sequoia was given a plaque honoring her heroic efforts. The plaque was presented by Coeur d'Alene Firefighter Erik Loney and Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Canfield, who told The Press that the department typically gives the awards out once or twice a year.

"They're given to individuals who go above and beyond for someone else," Canfield said. "That usually involves a life-saving situation."

Canfield added that Sequoia is one of the youngest and most deserving recipients of the award.

"I am really appreciative that they are recognizing her," Love said of the award. "I think Sequoia learned something about herself that day. When faced with a traumatic situation, you don't always know until that moment happens whether you are a person who is going to jump into action or someone who is going to freeze up.

"Sequoia has already learned about herself at the young age of 11 that she will be a person that will be able to respond and help. I am so appreciative that they are acknowledging that about her too, that she is able to step up and save a life."