I did an exchange tour with the USCG, not long after the two accidents in the mid 90s, a couple of Air Stations north from Humboldt Bay.
I agree with Crab 100% on this one. SAR is only dangerous if you go out ill prepared and lacking in judgement because of deficiencies in training. The Coast Guard I saw at the time was so risk averse in the training environment, and therefore the training was so limited, that it failed to properly prepare the crews for the environment they had to operate in.
Good and brave people, nevertheless.