5 Mistakes Hollywood Makes About CPR & AEDs

Your favorite TV shows and movies are not the place to learn how to save a life.

1. Shallow Compressions

Almost every instance of resuscitation in movies and TV includes very shallow compressions. This is not particularly surprising as properly performed compressions often break ribs. However, this example from Season 7 of "24" is especially egregious as Agent Walker performs very shallow compressions with bent arms.

2. Wrong Ratio of Compressions to Rescue Breaths

Traditionally, CPR consisted of 30 rescue breaths followed by two chest compressions. This has changed a bit with the advent of Hands-Only CPR which eliminates rescue breaths. Movies and TV shows are notorious for showing very few compressions in relation to rescue breaths. This clip from an old Baywatch episode (which is strangely dubbed in German?) features about six compressions before each set of rescue breaths.

3. Speed of Compressions

The speed of CPR compressions should be about 100 per minute or in rhythm with the song “Stayin’ Alive”. Most Hollywood CPR examples are paced considerably slower. This clip from the show “Lost” features Michelle Rodriguez performing very slow compressions with only one hand.

4. Defibrillation without Resuscitation

While defibrillation is very important to get the heart shocked back to a normal rhythm, it is not effective without resuscitation if the patient flatlines. This clip from the Casino Royale shows Bond going into cardiac arrest. If you listen closely, you can hear his hear monitor flatline prior to Vesper Lynd shocking him. (We do love Bond's super spy version of an AED though.)

5. Duration of Rescue Attempt

Finally, movies and TV shows almost always show resuscitation and defibrillation efforts to be very short in duration. This is no doubt due to editing needs and time constraints; however, it sends an incorrect message that resuscitation will work immediately. This clip from the TV show “Mutant X” features a remarkably quick resuscitation that would be highly unlikely in real life.