Scrawny -
Our volunteeer SAR team (of which I'm a member) is trained in HETS (longline/short haul rescue). We also have a basket in our kit very similar to what the USCG uses. When we do a HETS mission, the time for us to respond and go through the necessary processes it takes to conduct the mission means it will be at least an hour and more likely two before the rescue itself commences. In this case we weren't called out as flat ice rescue is done by the Fire Department. This rescue was initiated by the fortunate arrival of the pilot and one of the rescuers on their way back to the heliport after lunch. They were able to call ahead and have the machine running and ready to go when they got there. Hence the skid rescue method. In a normal HETS mission, the team would get to the pad, fly to the scene for a recce, land somewhere close by, configure the machine, and do the rescue. It's not fast. We never fly anywhere with the machine rigged and the basket inside. Also keep in mind, the subject is useless and you will need a rescuer in the water with him. In this case we would put a rescuer in the basket and drop him next to the subject. The rescuer then gets the subject in the basket and the aircraft departs.