[yostrovs]

I doubt that the risk to lifeguards, that have a flotation device with them, approaches anything experienced by fire fighters, cops, truck drivers, etc. As noted in the article, valor in rescues doesn't seem to correlate with pay. The danger is mostly from sun exposure.

This is outrageous, frankly. The job is really not that hard.

[zacharycohn]

Did you read the article?

> Macko jumped into the rough waters in a remote Palos Verdes gorge and pulled a man to safety through potentially skull-crushing swells and over razor-sharp rocks.

[syspec]

Did you read the article?

> The 2020 Medal of Valor winner, Edward “Nick” Macko, an ocean lifeguard specialist, earned “only” $134,144 in compensation.

[throwaway0a5e]

Most lifeguards will never be put in a situation like that hence why he was officially recognized for going above and beyond.