an on-duty lifeguard who runs into the ocean to rescue a drowning child, risking his or her own life to do so, has performed a(n):

an on-duty lifeguard who runs into the ocean to rescue a drowning child, risking his or her own life to do so, has performed a(n):

• A. Professional duty
• B. Imperfect duty
• C. Supererogatory action
• D. Values-driven duty

Answer: (A)

The situation highlights a professional duty. When someone trains as a lifeguard and is on duty, there is an explicit obligation to respond to emergencies and protect lives in distress. Running into the water to rescue a drowning child, even at personal risk, fits within the responsibilities of the role and is expected as part of performing the job. It isn’t an imperfect duty, which would be a moral obligation to act only if one can reasonably do so, nor a supererogatory act, which would go beyond what the job requires. This rescue is considered part of the professional duties attached to being a lifeguard.

The situation highlights a professional duty. When someone trains as a lifeguard and is on duty, there is an explicit obligation to respond to emergencies and protect lives in distress. Running into the water to rescue a drowning child, even at personal risk, fits within the responsibilities of the role and is expected as part of performing the job.

It isn’t an imperfect duty, which would be a moral obligation to act only if one can reasonably do so, nor a supererogatory act, which would go beyond what the job requires. This rescue is considered part of the professional duties attached to being a lifeguard.