It's basic triage, which can seem very brutal. It;s horrible to say, but in some rescue situations, you have to get out the strongest first. They can sort of be "guinea pigs" to work out how each rescue will go, and being stronger, they might be able to survive a bit more trauma than the weaker ones.
Then the weaker ones will presumably need more assistance, which means putting more rescuers lives at risk, with even more casualties ensuing.
No one likes that situation, but that is what it is.
As I posted before, too little too late. One dead, they should try to get the sick ones out, then bring out the boys who are well.
The retired Navy Seal could have had a heart attack, lack of O2 is not a good thing.
They'd better get a move on. Stop delaying.