After reading through this thread and also a few years 'in the seat' I would also like to add a few points that seemed to have slipped throught the net.
The public tend to see a helicopter in a low hover and for whatever reason think they need to stand under it
The aircraft is normally tasked and in constant radion contact with the Rescue Co-ordination center. Through this contact the crew will be informed of the stability of the patient and also the need to remain on scene should the stability situation change.
The crew will also be in contact with the rescue services 'on the ground', normally through harbour radio IMM16. The rescue services will generally be more concerned with a rapid pickup in the case of an injured person suddendly becoming worse than the loss of a pair of dinghys. In general damage caused as a direct result of SAR helo ops can be claimed for through the MOD.
Downwash is of great concern to SAR crews, especially when operating over cliffs or mountains. Remeber the crews do this job, 10ft away from the hard stuff day and night, VMC or IMC. Judge for yourself the training level.
