Yep, you read that right. Where does the stupidity end?
A lifeguard in Florida was fired for trying to save a drowning man’s life. The reason is the man was outside of his patrol zone, in an unprotected area, and the lifeguard’s employer is not paid to patrol that zone. Money over morals. Lovely.
By the time the lifeguard arrived, the man had already been pull ashore by other beachgoers.
I’m guessing there is a strict rule about vacating your patrol zone and I can understand that. But it’s not like the guard left to go have drink! He was doing what he was trained to do! Another person on the beach pointed the man drowning out to the lifeguard and he, without a second thought, went to help him. Sometimes, rules need to have exceptions.
As many of the comments point out, what if the lifeguard had refused to leave his post to try to help? Or what if the guy had drowned? No doubt the company would be sued and the lifeguard would’ve been fired anyway! Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
I sincerely hope this man finds another job and an employer with more than half a brain! As one of the commentators on the article so eloquently put it:
Real heroes are people who can see what need doing and do it without getting permission first.
I couldn’t agree more.
Kaye's Days 