Lifeguard fired for having rescued drowning man

He abondoned his post which endangered those he was tasked to protect.
Sacking is the correct outcome.

Where was the guy responsible for the "southern" zone?

The southern zone was unpatrolled and has signs saying swim at your own risk.

What I do find strange is that only one story says he saved a drowning man, all the others say the swimmer was already rescued and on the beach being treated by a nurse by the time Lopez arrived at the scene.

[Garion]

When I attended The Scottish Police College for basic and a year later for advanced training back in the 70's I was taught life saving up to the bronze medalion level. I still have all my badges and the medal and wonder if such training still takes place at Tulliallan.

Cheers

Gary

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

He abondoned his post which endangered those he was tasked to protect.
Sacking is the correct outcome.

This guy would have been damned if he did or damned if he didn't I would think. What if the man had in fact drowned and said life guard could have saved his life?

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

This guy would have been damned if he did or damned if he didn't I would think. What if the man had in fact drowned and said life guard could have saved his life?

Moreover, what if any of us were in a position to save a man's life? I would like to think that I would do the right thing, regardless of personal consequence. This young man did just that.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Moreover, what if any of us were in a position to save a man's life? I would like to think that I would do the right thing, regardless of personal consequence. This young man did just that.

I agree. It was a split decision. I understand he was given his job back.

Moreover, what if any of us were in a position to save a man's life? I would like to think that I would do the right thing, regardless of personal consequence. This young man did just that.

Thats the core of the issue right there, regardess of personal consequences means he cannot really moan about the disciplinary action from his employers as iy is a natural consequence of the action he chose to take.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Thats the core of the issue right there, regardess of personal consequences means he cannot really moan about the disciplinary action from his employers as iy is a natural consequence of the action he chose to take.

Conversely, although you are legally permitted to take such action as to terminate the individual for acting so, you cannot save your organization from negative publicity when you remove a lifeguard for acting like, well, a lifeguard.

Conversely, although you are legally permitted to take such action as to terminate the individual for acting so, you cannot save your organization from negative publicity when you remove a lifeguard for acting like, well, a lifeguard.

But he didn't act like a lifeguard, he abandond the area he was supposed to be keeping safe.
I wonder if he removed the lifeguard on duty flag from his beach when he left it to go elsewhere? Afterall when it comes to water safely you not only have to inform the other lifeguards of what you are doing you also have to consider the swimmers you are supposed to be covering.

Edit to add a question.
If you are swimming on a beach that has lots of lifeguards but has been red flagged do you expect any of them to enter the water if you screw up?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I agree. It was a split decision. I understand he was given his job back.

Nice one