A lifeguard rushed down Hallandale Beach in Florida to rescue a guy who was drowning… then got fired for it.

The problem: he stepped out of the beach zone his company is paid to patrol.

Company officials said he broke a rule that could've put beachgoers in his designated area in jeopardy. They said they could have been sued.

Quoting:  "We have liability issues and can't go out of the protected area. What he did was his own decision. He knew the company rules and did what he thought he needed to do."

The 21-year-old lifeguard said, "I ran out to do the job I was trained to do. I didn't think about it at all."

At least two other lifeguards have quit in protest.