Despite the freezing temperature and the fact that he was home from school ill, Jordan didn't hesitate to jump in and pull Levi to safety.

A student at Guildford West Public School, Jordan's bravery was acknowledged at an assembly last Tuesday when he was presented with a star award from the NSW Ambulance Service.

His mother, Melanie Nolan, said the family now called Jordan their ``little hero''.

``I was very proud of him for being such a quick thinker,'' she said. ``He knows he saved a life, but I don't think he realised how close it was and that a few seconds could have changed everything.

``Levi is fantastic. The hospital sent him home three hours after it happened because he was so robust.''

NSW Ambulance Service spokeswoman Penelope Little is full of praise for Jordan's efforts.

`I think the most significant thing is that, unfortunately, paramedics attend situations like this one where the outcome isn't as good,'' she said. ``His cousin Levi could have become a statistic.''

Ms Little said it was excellent that children learnt what to do in life-threatening situations.

``It was great that Jordan knew what to do,'' she said. ``He plucked his cousin from the bottom of the pool and knew to keep his head above water as he called for help.

``It's not even summer at the moment, so the water is icy cold, and for a child to jump into that pool without any concern for his own safety is really a credit to him.''