[dayglored]

Three thoughts come to mind immediately:

1. The private company who hired the lifeguard who broke the agreed-to rules, to save someone outside his area, is entirely within their rights to fire the individual, for disobeying a direct order that he acknowledged. Likewise the others who said they would do the same thing.

2. The lifeguard did what any reasonable, caring human being would do -- especially one who is trained in the saving of lives -- under the circumstances. He did the right thing, even though it cost him his job. The others did right to have been honest and backed him.

3. I would like to hope that in the same circumstances, I too would risk my job to save another human being in dire trouble.

So, IMO, it's a shame they lost their jobs, but they did the right thing and for the rest of their lives the lifeguard who saved the person will be comforted by that knowledge. The company has to find some more lifeguards, but they too did the right thing. Can't have employees running around doing stuff they specifically aren't supposed to do.

But the, IMO, the original agreement is what is flawed. I don't think it's reasonable to ask, or to agree, to watch another human being in trouble, suffer and die.

[Olog-hai]

Funny how you get punished for going “above and beyond” by the same type of people that exhort you to do just that, eh? It’s all liberal “liability” lawsuits that put both companies and their employees in this bureaucratic mire—it’s known as “lawfare” on some levels.

[Spacetrucker]

I’m sorry but if you support the company on this, IMO you are wrong. This is nothing more than union mentality run amok.

[jmaroneps37]

It is indeed a happy moment to be reminded that we still have 21 year olds who hold our basic American values of decency. God bless you Tomas Lopez!

[JimRed]

I don’t know how it works down there, but on the beaches nearest to us on the Jersey Shore lifeguards work in pairs. The lifeguard stands are equipped with walkie-talkies. If assistance is required, coverage of each section is still there.