I'm guessing they didn't live near the coast or mountains then. Most 'people you talk to' don't even understand the concept of tides so a limited understanding of aircraft and crews is expected but the people who lived near SAR flights knew exactly which service they had serving them.
The contractor has already had 8 years to sort the rearcrew shortage out and it's got worse - how is industry faring in that respect?
I would suggest this knowledge wasn't confined to people living in the proximity of SAR flights, but was far more expansive.
Whether the general public knew the difference between a Whirlwind and Wessex is irrelevant really, but could probably name a Sea King due to the prominence of the type detracts from the fact
everybody knew the role of SAR. Some got to witness, and testify, first hand as to their expertise...others were witnesses.
Irrespective of the demographic, SAR was one of the best
PR / Recruiting adverts the RAF / RN had, because, unlike at an Air Show, there was a tangible demonstration of their roles and capabilities
Unfortunately, unlike the RNLI, the Coastguard suffers from being, and I use the term
very reservedly and without
any form of criticism a "Cinderella " emergency service for most of the public other than those who live in coastal regions.
I would also suggest RAF MRT's contributed to the
PR aspect, albeit obviously in more specialised circumstances and locations.
Watching air displays is fine, but, nothing beats, for the public's attention, actual operations being conducted before their eyes and minds.