Maybe it just shows the difference in perceived risk between different countries and different people. If we all thought the same life would be so boring.
Personally I've been slung beneath an ex military Restricted Category UH1, and i would happily do it again. I knew the helicopter, pilot, engineers, and had faith in them.
there are some civil helicopters around that i wouldn't fly in, both single and twins, because i know the helicopter, pilots, previous pilots, engineers, etc.
I also wouldn't hop onto a 225 and chug off into the north sea at the moment, but would happily swing beneath certain helicopters, single or twin.
If winching is so super safe, what is the procedure when those AS350's that are winching in Europe have an engine go funny? Maybe all of Europe isn't thinking the same as Britain.
And regarding slinging the rig workers, all the ones i know tell me how hard they are, so they would go out without the immersion suit, and just hang on. ;-)