Now he’s in deep.
The city yesterday suspended the lifeguard photographed by The Post Sunday as he relaxed in his chair listening to his iPod through a headset on Rockaway Beach.
The nine-year veteran, whose name was withheld, faces charges that could cost him his job, officials said.
After the shocking picture ran, the Parks Department brought him up on “formal disciplinary charges,” said spokesman Philip Abramson.
“This is an unacceptable violation of our regulations, which is not representative of the dedication and diligence displayed by the vast majority of our over 1,300 lifeguards,” he said.
B’KLYN PAL DROWNS IN RESCUE BID
The lifeguard decided he had nothing better to do than listen to music only one day after a swimmer died on another section of the beach.
“He certainly wasn’t doing what he was supposed to be doing,” a furious Mayor Bloomberg said. “They’re supposed to be paying attention to those in the water and those on the beach to make sure they’re safe.”
Bloomberg urged beachgoers to call 311 if they spot off-guard lifeguards not paying attention.
All the city’s lifeguards got a strong message from supervisors that they’ll have to face the music if they’re caught listening to iPods and similar devices while on duty.
“Supervisors reminded the staff it’s against the rules to wear headphones,” Abramson said.
Peter Stein, president of the lifeguards union, declined comment.
The photo — taken Sunday at 10:08 a.m., minutes after the lifeguard’s shift began — infuriated the family and friends of Daniel O’Neill, 19, of The Bronx, who drowned at Beach 25th Street after getting caught in a riptide Saturday.
“It’s disgusting,” said his girlfriend, Gabriella Mansfield, who was with him when he drowned.
“It really hurts me to see that. I couldn’t believe after what had just happened a lifeguard could act like that.”
Officials said O’Neill had been in an area off-limits to swimmers where no lifeguards are posted.
But Mansfield insisted they had moved to an area under watch after being warned by a cop. She said the lifeguard didn’t hear her screams as ONeill — who couldn’t swim — sank beneath the waves.
“I don’t know why he couldn’t hear me,” she said. “I was screaming my lungs out for five minutes, screaming, screaming, waving my hands, yelling, ‘My boyfriend is drowning! My boyfriend is drowning! My boyfriend can’t swim!’ ”
Meanwhile, many lifeguards were red-faced — and not because of the sun.
“It kind of makes us all look bad — just not a smart thing to do,” said one 17-year-old guard who declined to give his name.
“It was right after his shift started, and I’m pretty sure no one was in the water at that time, but still, it makes it harder for the rest of us.”
Several beachgoers felt that the youth of some lifeguards was to blame. The minimum age for a lifeguard is 16. Starting pay is $13.57 an hour.
“I think 16 might be a little young for such a big responsibility. These kids mean well, but they’re just kids,” said Donald Connelly, 43, of the Rockaways.
Lizette Alvarez, 18, said the picture gave her goosebumps.
“It makes you a little nervous to see something like that, because if you yell, you want them to hear you,” she said.