Please don't fret Crab. Those currently training with Bristow have actually flown helicopters before, have rescued people in distress before and will do so again in nice, shiny, new helicopters without too much trouble.
SOME of those training with Bristow have little or no SAR experience and some have very little NVG overland SAR experience, some have no NVG experience, SAR or otherwise.
Fortunately there are some with all the relevant skill sets and experience but it is not the case that all have by any means. The paucity of training hours as part of the contract means that much of the continuity training (read bringing up to the standard of those they replace) is expected to be done 'on the job' ie during SAROps. Anyone with any experience of SAR trg will tell you that is not quality training and in no way replaces proper structured training.
The new training system is so thorough that it is quite possible to complete it without actually winching at all!