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The unidentified man was rushed to hospital, where he remains in intensive care. But when Lopez went to file an incident report, he was fired for going 500 meters out of his assigned area.

“They didn’t tell me in a bad way. It was more like they were ‘sorry, but rules are rules,’” Lopez said. “I couldn’t believe what was happening.”

His employer, Orlando-based Jeff Ellis & Associates, said the lifeguard broke a company rule and could have put beachgoers in his section of Hallandale Beach in jeopardy.

“We have liability issues and can’t go out of the protected area,” explained a supervisor for the private contractor that supplies lifeguards for Hallandale Beach, a popular destination for Canadian winter holiday makers.

“What he did was his own decision. He knew the company rules and did what he thought he needed to do.”

The rescue was performed about 1,500 feet south of the protective boundaries set by the employer. The unprotected area has signs alerting beachgoers to swim at their own risk.

However, Ms. Ellis conceded Mr. Lopez’s section was not left unpatrolled at any time and his action did not put anyone at risk.

Other lifeguards watched the area during the rescue and were on the phone with 911 operators.

Mr. Lopez became a lifeguard four months ago after passing the company’s requirements, which include swimming and physical exams. The job pays $8.25 an hour.

Two other lifeguards have quit in protest of Mr. Lopez’s firing.

One of them, Szilard Janko, told the newspaper, “What was he supposed to do? Watch a man drown?”

Thursday, Jeff Ellis, the company head, said Mr. Lopez would be offered his job back.

“I am of the opinion that the supervisors acted hastily,” he said.

But the lifeguard said he wasn’t interested.

“They are trying to fix the wrong that they did. I just don’t want to work for that company anymore,” he said.

“It’s not out of spite against the company. After all is said, I really just want to move on and get another job.”

Agence France-Presse, with files from The Associated Press

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