Reply To: Saving a Relative's Life First

Yes, I asked and was told that Shulchan Aruch is followed today on this siman and chelek discussing this point as much as any other part of S”A, and we most certainly do follow this halacha as it is written in S”A today as we always have.

You weren’t the first person to be dismissive of a halacha that doesn’t fit into modern sensibilities.

And you are offbase that it is never the case that everything isn’t always equal. The Mechaber wasn’t recording the halacha (based on the Mishna) for theoretical never-applicable circumstances. Their certainly are applicable circumstances. Say a boat with all strangers is sinking that you have nothing to do with or even know who anyone is, for example. Or any situation where between two people you have nothing other than the kedima stated in halacha.