Hi DJG
I would think that previous SAR experience would be required for a command position. Hovering over the sea at night in still wind is not something you learn overnight
.
N Sea exp is OK but droning up and down the radials with the auto pilot in does not prepare you for SAR.
A 2000 hr Puma pilot has probably only done about 800 rig landings of which about 50 may have been at night. Not alot of real edge of the flight envelope experience.
5hrs of mountain flying in high winds will teach you more about what the helicopter will do/not do as well as giving you an adrenalin high!!!
HF