Lifeguard Fired for Trying to Save Man Outside of His Zone
Former Member
Link to the story Florida Lifeguard Fired for Trying to Save Drowning Man Outside of His Zone
"According to the Sun Sentinel, Lopez was approached by a beachgoer who pointed out a man struggling in the water nearly 1,500 feet south of his post.
Instinctively, he ran down the beach to save him. By the time Lopez got to him, he had been pulled to shore by fellow beachgoers.
Following his rescue attempt, Lopez was let go for leaving the area he was supposed to be covering."
Parents
Former Member
The "drowning" occurred in an area that was posted as "swim at your own risk". The guard left his zone to assist with the victim, knowing full well it was against policy for him to do so.
What would have been REALLY bad was if someone in the "protected zone" drowned while the guard was in the "at risk" zone. Then people might have had a different view of the matter.
According to recent postings, the company that fired him is "re-evaluating" their decision.
Leaving his zone unprotected the entire time he was off zone is definitely the issue. It will be interesting to see how Ellis handles this.
The "drowning" occurred in an area that was posted as "swim at your own risk". The guard left his zone to assist with the victim, knowing full well it was against policy for him to do so.
What would have been REALLY bad was if someone in the "protected zone" drowned while the guard was in the "at risk" zone. Then people might have had a different view of the matter.
According to recent postings, the company that fired him is "re-evaluating" their decision.
Leaving his zone unprotected the entire time he was off zone is definitely the issue. It will be interesting to see how Ellis handles this.
