To answer your questions....
1. due to the flood the "Helly Hansen" store was out of stock
2. According to JAR-OPS 3 it would have been illegal to attach any ropes to the helicopter and it takes quite a few days to get that essential hardware to be delivered by Eurocopter.
3. Nope
4. Since the paramedic is no longer inside the helicopter the pilot should be able to hover with OEI.
Great job!!