RN SAR Divers
I "dropped" a Royal Navy SAR diver (ie - an aircrewman with previous extensive military diving experience, who has undergone even more extensive SAR-specific training) on 2 jobs in 3 years. On one there was no question that he lives of 2 young boys were saved. A winchman (still attached to the wire) could not have reached them as they were below the surface and heading down.
It was a great capability but so seldom used in anger, as well as having a disproportionate support cost, that it just wasn't viable for the RN to maintain the capability. Pity, but these are the times we're in.
I think a basket has its place but a good winchman wins for me everytime.