Television dramas and action shows make CPR look dramatic — often with characters suddenly collapsing in public and fictional bystanders jumping in with perfect timing. But recent research shows that TV depictions of CPR often stray far from what actually works in real emergencies — and those inaccuracies can shape how people think about CPR and how they act when lives are on the line.

1. Many Shows Still Use Outdated Techniques

Even though the American Heart Association (AHA) endorsed Hands-Only CPR in 2008 for lay rescuers (focused on 100-120 chest compressions per minute), scripted TV often shows outdated steps like dramatic pulse checks or mouth-to-mouth breaths that aren’t recommended for untrained responders in most adult sudden cardiac arrest cases.

Experts note that in many TV scenes, characters are shown “checking for a pulse first” — something CPR instructors today don’t teach for bystander CPR, because waiting to check a pulse can waste critical minutes when every second counts.

2. Hands-Only CPR Is Underrepresented on Screen

A study analyzing nearly 170 TV episodes that depict CPR found that less than 30% accurately show the recommended Hands-Only CPR sequence (call 911 → start compressions). In many scenes, compressions are mixed with breaths or unnecessary steps — which doesn’t reflect the real-world strategy advised by health experts.

This matters because Hands-Only CPR is simpler, easier to remember, and proven to double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival when started immediately.

3. TV Misleads About Who Needs CPR and Where It Happens

On screen, cardiac arrests and CPR scenes frequently involve younger characters in dramatic public settings. But real out-of-hospital cardiac arrests most often happen to older adults and usually at home — not in remote or highly visible places.

That skewed portrayal can make people think CPR is “someone else’s problem” — not something that might happen to a loved one in their living room or backyard where CPR skills are most often needed.

4. Who Receives CPR on TV Doesn’t Reflect Real Life

TV shows often focus on male characters or white adults receiving CPR, which mirrors some real-world disparities in bystander CPR rates but doesn’t fully reflect the diversity of people affected by cardiac arrest. In reality, women and Black or Latino adults are less likely to receive bystander CPR, but that’s not clearly or comprehensively depicted on screen.

5. Misleading TV Scenes Can Undermine Confidence

Research suggests that watching fictional CPR can influence how people think about the skill — sometimes more than classroom training or official guidelines. If viewers assume what they saw on TV is correct, they may hesitate or use incorrect steps when a real emergency happens.

That’s the opposite of what public health experts want. In the real world, doing simple Things Right — calling 911 immediately and starting chest compressions hard and fast — is what keeps oxygen flowing to the brain and vital organs until EMS arrives.

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Why This Matters for You and Your Community

Watching CPR on TV might make it look familiar — but familiar isn’t always accurate. Outdated portrayals can lead people to:

• Delay starting compressions
• Expect rescue breaths when they’re unnecessary for adults
• Misjudge where and when cardiac arrest typically occurs
• Doubt their ability to act when it counts

In real life, simple, high-quality CPR saves lives — and accurate training gives you the confidence to act quickly and correctly when someone collapses.

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The Takeaway

Don’t let TV shape your CPR knowledge.
Learn hands-on, evidence-based CPR — the kind taught by professionals — so you know what to do when it really matters.

👉 Sign up for In-Pulse CPR’s hands-on CPR + AED certification class and replace TV myths with real, lifesaving skills.