[eye30]

What would you have done in this situation?

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A lifeguard who left his section of a Florida beach to help save a man from drowning has been given the sack.

Tomas Lopez, 21, was patrolling part of Hallandale Beach north of Miami when he was told that a swimmer was in trouble in an unguarded area of the beach.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18715684

[Dazzler]

I'm not a great swimmer so I would have just watched 

He actually got offered his job back but declined the offer 

[Surferdude]

Saw that on the news. The usual over-the-top legal crap. If he left his post and someone drowned where he was supposed to be watching, the lifeguard company could be sued.

[Phil №❶]

I don't think they could be sued. If the dude is busy rescuing anyone, anywhere, then he is performing his duty, and not negligent. If you had 5 lifeguards & they were all busy in their area, could you be sued for not saving a 6th person, I think not.

That said, this modern world PC requirement and legal opportunism really p's me off. 

[Surferdude]

I don't think they could be sued. If the dude is busy rescuing anyone, anywhere, then he is performing his duty, and not negligent. If you had 5 lifeguards & they were all busy in their area, could you be sued for not saving a 6th person, I think not.

That said, this modern world PC requirement and legal opportunism really p's me off. 

Yeah. They could. It was explained that the lifeguard company is contracted to provide lifeguards for a specific section of beach and it is signposted as such. So if he leaves his post to go outside the marked area and someone drowns, the company is liable for not providing its contracted service.
Not saying I agree with it and neither did the lifeguard and some of his workmates, however it was this which prompted my comment above about the company being sued.

[Phil №❶]

Well, the contract should be changed then, simple as that. But yes you are correct under those conditions. I'm glad the dude said "stuff that, saved the victim and stuff you, when offered his job back" 

[Doggie 1]

I agree with all of the above.