Overview
- University of Pittsburgh researchers reviewed 169 U.S. scripted episodes that aired after the 2008 endorsement of Hands-Only CPR by the American Heart Association.
- Only 29.6% of scenes accurately showed the two-step method—call 911 and start chest compressions—while many depicted mouth-to-mouth (48%) and pulse checks (43%).
- Television scenarios skewed younger and public, with many victims under 40 and arrests set outside the home, whereas most real incidents involve older adults and occur at home.
- Fictional out-of-hospital cardiac arrests received bystander CPR 58% of the time, compared with about 40% in real life.
- On-screen recipients and rescuers were predominantly white men, reflecting real disparities, and the authors call for more accurate storytelling to help close gaps in who receives lifesaving aid.