Lifeguard’s controversial firing under review

[Bay_Kat (Premo)]

Fired lifeguard to receive key to city of Hallandale Beach

[donbarzini]

Originally Posted by czygvtwkr

So you are guaranteed to not drown inside the other area?

That's right up there with JPC logic. EVERYone realizes there are no guarantees. BUUUT if he were out of his area of responsibility he opens himself AND the company up to litigation. He LEFT the area and the people he was responsible for protecting. So he opened himself to disciplinary action.

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by donbarzini

That's right up there with JPC logic. EVERYone realizes there are no guarantees. BUUUT if he were out of his area of responsibility he opens himself AND the company up to litigation. He LEFT the area and the people he was responsible for protecting. So he opened himself to disciplinary action.

Correct. He knew the ramifications of his actions. The person in trouble ALSO knew of the ramifications of swimming in an unprotected area. The idea of "I saw the sign but chose to ignore it because someone will bail me out of my stupidity anyway" just doesn't fly.

1500 feet is a long way to run down the beach, THEN swim and save. As a former lifeguard, that is draining. The lifeguard put himself and his victim in more danger.

A comment was made about spectator expectations. They should have had no expectations knowing that they were in an unprotected zone. They also took time to run 1500 feet down the beach to tell someone of a problem so they could run 1500 feet back. That's a long time, so the victim was apparently not in immediate peril. Spectators could have effected a rescue (yes, not the best idea, but would he have drowned before someone got to the lifeguard stand and back??)

If the lifeguard made a rescue out of his area 1500' away, does that imply he can and will handle everything between there and his station? What's to stop at 1500'? Go to 1600'. 2000'. Where do you draw the line?

The line was already drawn at the limit of his roped off area. That limit is set to take in to account the ability of a lifeguard to make an effective rescue without becoming over-tired or exhausted. The lifeguard ignored that.

Legally and job wise, the lines are perfectly clear. That said, I probably would have done the very same thing the lifeguard did and headed down the beach out of my area. That is why I am there; to protect and save lives.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by GWguy

Correct. He knew the ramifications of his actions. The person in trouble ALSO knew of the ramifications of swimming in an unprotected area. The idea of "I saw the sign but chose to ignore it because someone will bail me out of my stupidity anyway" just doesn't fly.

1500 feet is a long way to run down the beach, THEN swim and save. As a former lifeguard, that is draining. The lifeguard put himself and his victim in more danger.

A comment was made about spectator expectations. They should have had no expectations knowing that they were in an unprotected zone. They also took time to run 1500 feet down the beach to tell someone of a problem so they could run 1500 feet back. That's a long time, so the victim was apparently not in immediate peril. Spectators could have effected a rescue (yes, not the best idea, but would he have drowned before someone got to the lifeguard stand and back??)

If the lifeguard made a rescue out of his area 1500' away, does that imply he can and will handle everything between there and his station? What's to stop at 1500'? Go to 1600'. 2000'. Where do you draw the line?

The line was already drawn at the limit of his roped off area. That limit is set to take in to account the ability of a lifeguard to make an effective rescue without becoming over-tired or exhausted. The lifeguard ignored that.

Legally and job wise, the lines are perfectly clear. That said, I probably would have done the very same thing the lifeguard did and headed down the beach out of my area. That is why I am there; to protect and save lives.

Well said.

[Bay_Kat (Premo)]

The saga continues

Fired lifeguard gets Legoland job offer