On the afternoon of 4 February 1983, Michael Wood saved a man from certain drowning in Douse's Creek near West Royalty, Prince Edward Island. The man had ventured onto soft ice in an attempt to retrieve his fishing shack when he fell through some distance from shore. He struggled to save himself but the strong current and the weight of his heavy coat and water-filled waders dragged him down, rapidly exhausting his strength. Responding to cries for help, Mr. Wood hopped over ice floes, falling in the cold water several times before finally reaching the soft ice. Then he crawled out on his stomach, reached the floundering man, who was in great danger of succumbing to hypothermia, and grabbed him with one hand. With the other hand wedged in an ice crack to prevent him from slipping, Mr. Wood pulled the man out and brought him to safety.