TV CPR often not reflective of real-world scenariosKey takeaways:Bystander CPR as depicted on TV frequently did not align with correct real-world procedures and experience. On TV, people receiving CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were frequently younger and in public settings, whereas real-life cardiac arrests are more common among older adults in their homes, according to the study. Among the TV episodes reviewed, 63.5% depicted bystander CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by a layperson likely not trained in basic life support for health care providers. The researchers found that 64.8% of CPR recipients on TV were white and 68.5% were male, whereas 70.3% of people giving CPR on TV were white and 64.8% were male. “Television depictions commonly feature white and male individuals as both recipients and providers of compression-only CPR,” the researchers wrote.

Source: The Guardian January 13, 2026 18:11 UTC