Junglie - when will you ever learn. La-la is only here to 'hook' people.....stay away if you can't cope with the baiting. However when you do speak you speak the truth!
Vie: SAR, like ALL complex tasking is only EVER about Captaincy. The term describes the command decision making that goes on. It is a generic description not neccessarily owned by pilots. Some Navy cabs have Captains sitting in the back as Observers for eg.
RAF SAR first tourers will ALWAYS have a more experienced 'Captain' sitting next to them and holding their hand. They will receive advice from the rear crew but ONLY the Captain will make the final decision. Hence "Captaincy".
You might be getting it mixed up with: SAR and Captaincy.
SAR is about getting the rear crew to the scene to do their stuff.
Captaincy is all about carrying out that act - safely and efficiently.
Overall - and this is for everyone out there....do not misunderstand:
SAR is NOT a black art, it is a run of the mill secondary duty for "experienced" crews. Nothing more and nothing less. However many have tried to build massive empires on the back of it. [Bit like HR!].