If your boat was sinking and you could save either your mother or your wife, who would you choose?

You would need to decide which one had the best chance of living, there is no point trying to save the one that is hopeless. If your mom can't swim, she will drag you both down, same for your wife. If one of them is too far away, you save the closer one first, then try to get to the second. I don't think you would have to decide which one, you save the one you can and sorry for the other.