On the Bristow Sycamore, wooden blades, no hydraulics and spring trim wheels. The pilot operated the winch by means of a mirror. When the winchman hooked up the survivor sometimes it couldn't lift both out of the water.
That's when the winchman stayed in the dinghy, the pilot winched up the survivor who then had to find his own way into the cabin. He would be taken on shore and then the aircraft would return for the winchman.
All on a diet of Avgas.