After a record-breaking weekend of rescues along Volusia County beaches, officials said they did everything they could do despite two deaths and more than 500 rescues.

"There was nothing else we could do," said Capt. Tammy Marris, of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue. "All of our personnel — everyone did a great job."

Things along the Daytona Beach coastline go back to normal Tuesday — just a day after swimmers were getting plucked from the ocean at an alarming rate over the Memorial Day weekend.

The red flag — which warns beachgoers of dangerous rip currents — was flying Tuesday, but lifeguards said the crowd was much easier to keep track of compared to what they saw over the previous three days.

Marris said seeing people drown is something they never want to see, but she also pointed out that hundreds of lives were saved.

Ken Wood and his family planned on visiting Daytona Beach from The Villages before they heard the news about number of ocean rescues. He said it was a tense drive to the coast.

"Education is obviously a big part of it," Wood said, noting that they will be careful in the ocean but felt safe along the sand. "I think people have a personal responsibility to be careful."

Randy Chambers, of South Daytona, agrees: "I think it is personal responsibility that the people that are swimming. There ought to be a sign up that says don't go out over your heard."

Marris said there are signs and other ways to learn about water conditions even before a visitor hits the Volusia County coast.

"They're on all the approaches," Marris said. "They're on all the walkways and also, we have a beach app and you can go to that beach app and just find out what the conditions are for the day."

Beach Safety officers can't make the Atlantic Ocean off limits, but they're doing all they can to educate beachgoers.

The next big test comes in about a month: Fourth of July weekend.

The rip current threat remains high through the end of the week.

Rip Current Safety Tips

When you're at the beach:

  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
  • Never swim alone.
  • Learn how to swim in the surf. It's not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
  • Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don't go out.
  • Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
  • Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
  • Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean's surface.
  • Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.

If you get caught in a rip current:

  • Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
  • Never fight against the current.
  • Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
  • Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle — away from the current — toward shore.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim toward shore.
  • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.

If you see someone in trouble, don't become a victim, too:

  • Get help from a lifeguard.
  • If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911.
  • Throw the rip current victim something that floats — a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
  • Yell instructions on how to escape.
  • Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.