The regs should be followed, however if something is unsafe, but legal we should say no. It's interesting how road ambulances, and police do not have to follow the traffic laws, while on a call. As for leaving rescues only to trained people, what makes you trained ?? I've had to do several rescues while on fires, and other operations, yet I've had no specific rescue training. I've had medics in the back who were all briefed and trained on the helicopter, but weren't specific "flight nurses", or rescue techs. These rescues were all done safely, and with the safety of all onboard uppermost in my mind. As it is during all of my flights.
Cheers