Akula - you have obviously dealt with the Sea King IPT before, although 4 years might be a bit optimistic!
WEBF - the Canadians use SARtechs who are parachute/diving/mountaineering trained but, given the terrain in the UK, such disciplines are not really required. A SAR helicopter is simply a delivery system for a paramedic trained winchman and a recovery system for same plus casualty. Even the RN have stopped using rescue divers because so few jobs require them. Having said that, the US CG are still using rescue swimmers but I don't see the point of putting a guy in the water to swim to the boat when you can just winch him to it.
Jeep - we can't afford any new or shiny things since the MoD blew all the rotary budget (and then some) on your Apaches. We are broke which is why the next generation of SAR helos will have to be financed by the private sector, regardless of who flys them. Anyway I don't think anyone will be rushing to buy Merlin until the cause of the Canadian crash is determined.
Sasless, it is not that long since our RAF SAR SKs were grey and had a theoretical tactical role (mostly for FI) and the Mk3As were procured with a similar role in mind but the harsh fact is that the fleet isn't big enough to provide UKSAR and the FI and have anything left to do anything else with. You can either have a specialised SAR machine to rescue people in all weathers or you can have a specialised SH machine to recover downed personnel in a war zone - the kit and the training required is different and to have both on one aircraft is costly and inefficient.
NRDK why don't you mention using or losing the grey and orange cabs of RNSAR, picking on the yellow ones seems a little one sided - if one part of MilSAR goes it will all go IMHO so think carefully if you are prepared to hand over 771 and gannet to MCA.
Crabette - it's still 24/7 despite the unserviceabilities the stats show an overall 97% availability for 1st standby.