<HTML>
Regarding the issue of saving men before women, it is quite possible that
the mishna in horiyot is referring to "kedima" - who goes first, but if in
fact the issue is who gets saved and who doesn't, then there are other
factors that play a role (including, perhaps, who you get to first). the
"kedima" issue may just be one of kavod. Rabbi Tendler has an article on
this topic which can be found in the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine from
Jan-Feb 1984. a short version can be found in "Kavod HaRav". Rav Shabtai
Rapaport also has an article (not dealing directly with your mishna) in
assia 49-50 from July 1990.
David Katz, Administrative Director - Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim
[I took an excellent course on this topic almost 20 years ago with Dr.
S.Z. Leiman in the Bernard Revel Graduate School. If anyone out their can
get him to respond, you'd be doing a service to the Jewish people. Shalom]</HTML>
