I thought all human life has equal dignity. The life of a 99 year old grandmother is worth less than a 10 year old just because the old lady is near her dying days?
What if a 10 year old girl who has terminal cancer (and only 1 year maximum to live) is drowning beside a 50 year old woman who is drowning? With your reasoning, since the girl is going to die soon, I should rescue the 50 year old woman instead.
Why do they let old people and children on to resuce boats first before the young adults? We should let the old people on the rescue boats last and save those who are young and healthy first.
Anyway, I would rescue my grandmother first because it is only natural that I would save the one I love before I save a stranger - even if they are a child.