A QUICK-thinking school nurse has described the dramatic moment she saved the life of a drowning child on holiday in Greece.

Vicky Nelson, who is based at Great Lever Health Centre in Bolton, was relaxing by her hotel pool on the island of Rhodes when she saw the young boy being dragged out of the pool limp and lifeless.

Ms Nelson immediately ran to his aid and gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation as his terrified mother looked on at the Doreta Beach Hotel in Theologos.

Ms Nelson, who was holidaying with her son Richard, aged 13, her sister, Ann-Marie Kiely and her niece Tilly, aged six, said: "I just acted instinctively. I heard people screaming and shouting.

"There was also shouting round the pool but this was different so I ran to help. The young boy was about six years old.

"He had been pulled from the pool, he had no pulse, no breath sounds and was turning blue. I knelt over him and started mouth to mouth resuscitation whilst a fellow holidaymaker was doing chest compressions."

Ms Nelson also comforted the boy's mum, who was praying. She said: "She managed to communicate she was a nurse, but I told her it is difficult when its your own. At first nothing happened but then he started to cough and splutter and when he heard his mother's voice he cried. He was then taken away by the paramedics.

"It was only later that the enormity of what happened hit me. I’m just glad I was there and was able to help."

As a result of Vicky and the other holidaymaker’s efforts the young boy made a full recovery.

She said: "My son asked if I did that everyday!"

Ms Nelson now wants to use her experience to highlight to parents the importance of teaching children the dangers of being in and around water.

She said that safety was always drilled into her as a youngster and that she has passed that on to her own son.

She said: "The incident highlighted to me how important it is to be vigilant around water.

"Drowning is the third biggest cause of accidental death in children and just in the past week there have been some tragic fatalities in the UK.

"Whether you are near a pool, the sea or open water, it can only take a split second for your child to get into difficulty unnoticed — even if they are strong swimmers.

"I urge all local parents to educate their children about staying safe near water and also to attend a basic life-saving skills course — many of which are free to attend such as The British Heart Foundation’s Heartstart scheme."

Ms Nelson works for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which has praised her for using her experience to educate others.

Michelle Bradshaw works for Bridgewater as the assistant director for children’s services in Bolton, said: "We cannot praise Vicky enough — we are all really proud of her.

"I hope anyone who hears her story is inspired to speak to their children about water safety and also attend a first aid course."