VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Lifeguards on Volusia County beaches had to rescue more than 100 swimmers Friday. While the water looks tempting on a hot day, the rip currents are fierce.

Lifeguards called it classic rip current conditions, warm water, a slight swell, an east wind. The temptation was too great for an entire family that had to be rescued.

It took a chain of lifeguards to rescue the family being sucked out to sea Friday on Daytona Beach. At least five guards were in the water and more sped to the shoreline, ready if needed.

Swimmers, caught in the sudden strong rip current were hugging the lifeguard's buoys, because their life depended on it. The entire family, made it back. The mother and father both had to take oxygen from guards, winded after a battle their kids said almost cost them their lives.

The same scenario played out well over 100 times by 5:00pm just between Ponce Inlet and Ormond Beach.

"Yesterday and today, we had all the components. We have two to three foot wave, east winds, no long shore current,” said Scott Petersohn, Beach Patrol.

Even though the water doesn't look threatening, guards said holes and channels have been in the sand for weeks. Until now, though, the ocean has been flat. Friday's swell was just big enough to let the currents start forming.

"When the tide gets to the right height, it causes the water to rush out these depressions at a higher velocity, and if you're in that depression you're swept out into overhead water,” Petersohn explained.

It's even a more dangerous situation on a Friday, because there are about 20-30 fewer guards, because it's a weekday. As many as 90 towers will be opened on the beach Saturday and guards expect the exact same conditions.