How much do you value your life when contemplating an over water flight?
How much are you willing to pay for 1. an injection to protect you from a deadly virus, 2. a top class meal at a top class restaurant?
I am just posting this as I value my life so much so that I would fit any aids which will provide some measure of protecting me until a rescue is made.
I agree whole heartedly with what John Eacott is saying and rather than mandatory legislation it should be to the individual to provide for him/herself.
Where this rationale is not 'watertight' is when there are other occupants in the helicopter and some form of protection must be afforded to them. They shoud not be required to rely on the captains judgement or to put it another way they have the right to be fully protected whatever the opinion of the pilot is.
Floats should be fitted.
Life jackets worn.
Life raft carried ONLY IF it can be deployed by those on board
ELT's should be fitted to the life jacket so that it is immediately available to use. Clipped in the cockpit is impractical.
Immersion suit is a sensible addition in cool waters.
Cost of all this is about 3-5% of the purchase price of the helicopter. Or this could be more for little 'copters.