bgw,
I completely agree with whirlygig and disagree with madman because there is a short easy answer to this question (well in the UK anyway)
Option A, CPL(H) only, high risk, chance of employment poor or nil
Option B, CPL(H) + FI rating, higher cost, low risk, lower returns
Option C, CPL(H) + IR, higher cost, high risk, higher returns
how lucky are you feeling, I have met quite a few option A guys who never flew again, I have never met an option B guy who didnt find work.
option C is tricky as you are gambling on being employed by the big offshore peeps, CHC, Bristow, Bond. If they dony want you you are in trouble and you would have to go back and pay for the FI rating as per option B and get some more hours then try again with them.
question is "do you feel lucky !"
regards
CF