# Television has been lying to me **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 28, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784 "2016-12-28T17:44:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/1 "2016-12-28T17:44:50Z")
In all the medical shows I’ve watched, from St Elsewhere to ER to Code Black, you’ll always get a scene like the following. A patient is in critical condition, the doctors call for the crash cart. From the monitors they can see he’s flatlining, no heart rhythm, “Clear” shouts the guy with the paddles and gives the patient a shock. No response. The charge is upped. “Clear”. Again the patient is shocked. “We have a rhythm!” Another triumph for the docs. [But what’s this I read in Slate?](http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2016/12/carrie_fisher_s_death_reveals_confusion_over_medical_terms.html) > [@](#): > > The most survivable causes of cardiac arrest are electrical problems of the heart, some of which are indeed caused by heart attacks. Some of these cause what we call “shockable rhythms.” These rhythms, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, have a real chance of responding to jolts of electricity known as defibrillation. Other rhythms, such as asystole (“flat-lining”), do not respond to shocks (again, contrary to television and movies). In fact, most causes of cardiac arrest are not amenable to defibrillation. Unless an immediate cause is obvious (such as a massive electrolyte imbalance in patients on chronic kidney dialysis), even heroic efforts to bring these patients back to life are usually in vain. Flat-lining doesn’t respond to defibrillation? Damn you, television! You’ve been feeding me that bullshit for years. Enough is enough. I will never trust you again. \ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/2 "2016-12-28T18:06:48Z")
Kinda makes nonsense of the whole premise of the movie **Flatliners** , too, don’t it? Although the imdb “goofs” page says this: > [@](#): > > Incorrectly regarded as goofs > > While a defibrillator is of no use if a patient has truly flatlined, a patient in a “fine v-fib” rhythm can appear to have flatlined but still be revived with the paddles. Therefore, when in doubt, the Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines call for administering the shock, though it’s not the treatment of choice. > **[Flatliners (1990) - Trivia - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099582/trivia/?tab=gf&ref_=tt_trv_gf)** > > Flatliners (1990) - Trivia on IMDb: Cameos, Mistakes, Spoilers and more... ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/3 "2016-12-28T18:11:55Z")
There have been SD threads on this subject in the past. The one below contains a very helpful post by Chief Pedant. > **[Is the entire plot of 'Flatliners' hinged on a popular misconception about...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=599681)** > > I recently read that defibrillators cannot make a still heart beat again–they can only correct a pulse that has gone off track-arrythmia or whatever (sorry if I’m saying it all wrong, I ain’t the brightest). Which is annoying enough, when you think... ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/4 "2016-12-28T18:12:39Z")
How about the shows where they can’t remove a bullet until they have a metal tray they can drop the bullet in with a “clink”? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/5 "2016-12-28T18:31:21Z")
Are there any shows/movies that actually use those paddles correctly? Or even better, a scene where someone goes to use them and the doctor says “his heart is stopped, they won’t do anything!” ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/6 "2016-12-28T18:54:27Z")
Television has lied to me about a shitload more than dubious medical procedures. I thought when I became a teenager and had my heart broken by a boy, my parents would be all comforting, understanding, and sympathetic. Would dry my tears and give me a little philosophical pep talk or two. Imagine my surprise when dear Ma-Mah spittled with rage into my face, ‘oh, shut the fuck up, crying over that asshole, just be glad you didn’t get knocked up. You dumb slut.’ ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/7 "2016-12-28T19:00:41Z")
You also can’t simply touch two fingers to a person’s neck and say “He’s dead Jim”. Anyway, the defibrillators are smarter now, they won’t work unless they detect fibrillation. The placement of paddles is also [not as Seen On TV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defibrillation#/media/File:Defib_electrode_placement.png). Two paddles above the heart won’t work very well, and one paddle on the chest and the other on the back below the heart is the preferred method when possible. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/8 "2016-12-28T19:09:56Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You also can’t simply touch two fingers to a person’s neck and say “He’s dead Jim”. Well, you _can_, but you have a pretty good chance of being wrong if you do. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/9 "2016-12-28T19:10:32Z")
My mother went into fibrillation last time she was in the hospital. Floor staff did not even make it into the room before it was over. She said she was not even aware of anything happening. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/10 "2016-12-28T22:36:22Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > There have been SD threads on this subject in the past. The one below contains a very helpful post by Chief Pedant. > > [Is the entire plot of 'Flatliners' hinged on a popular misconception about medical equipment? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=599681) That is an excellent post. Thanks for linking! ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/11 "2016-12-28T23:12:55Z")
You also probably can’t bring someone back by pounding on their chest, looking skyward, and yelling “Don’t you quit on me, dammit!” ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/12 "2016-12-28T23:22:12Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > How about the shows where they can’t remove a bullet until they have a metal tray they can drop the bullet in with a “clink”? Naw, I like the shows where simply removing the bullet makes the victim all better. Instantly. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/13 "2016-12-28T23:51:40Z")
On TV and in the movies, doctors always inform family members of a death or serious illness in the parking lot or a crowded hallway. :dubious: No, they don’t, or at least they shouldn’t. CPR as it’s actually performed can’t be done on a live actor anyway. The correct procedure usually leaves the patient with broken ribs, and doesn’t usually work either. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/14 "2016-12-28T23:55:39Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Naw, I like the shows where simply removing the bullet makes the victim all better. Instantly. Like the bullet is some kind of radioactive Kryptonite that must be removed immediately! Or death will result. In actual practice it can be better to just leave that bullet where it is. Removal will cause more, unnecessary damage. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/15 "2016-12-28T23:55:54Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > How about the shows where they can’t remove a bullet until they have a metal tray they can drop the bullet in with a “clink”? Another fake sound effect is the [sound](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqujcCBgwkU) of a sword in a sheath. Sound effects people add a ringing noise to make it sound dramatic. That sound is created by scraping the sword against metal, which would quickly dull the edge in real life. Real sword fighters used wooden sheathes which were essentially silent. And don’t get me started on bald eagles. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/16 "2016-12-29T00:00:52Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And don’t get me started on bald eagles. They sound exactly like Red-Tailed Hawks, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2016, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/17 "2016-12-29T00:12:36Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > CPR as it’s actually performed can’t be done on a live actor anyway. The correct procedure usually leaves the patient with broken ribs, and doesn’t usually work either. CPR works maybe 1 out of 10 tries. The main purpose of CPR is to keep blood moving through the brain. You don’t even need to do the breathing part, there should be enough residual oxygen in the blood, just keep it moving. In order to keep the blood moving you really need to push down hard into the chest. Several inches into the chest. And that is going to break ribs away from the sternum. My CPR instructors have told me that you are working on a dead person. Break what you have to and keep that blood moving. Which you can do for about a minute and a half before you are exhausted. If you have 2 or 3 other people with you who can trade off and keep the CPR going you may have a chance. Otherwise you will exhaust your strength long before help arrives. Slapping someone to wake them from a coma doesn’t work either. ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/18 "2016-12-29T00:21:59Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > They sound exactly like Red-Tailed Hawks, you know. Well, “wargl” doesn’t sound very patriotic, now does it? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/19 "2016-12-29T00:31:37Z")
Something that bothers me with a lot of TV shows and movies is how some people who have died get a prolonged attempt to revive them, while others just get a pulse check and a sad shake of the head. It always seems like a plot expediency situation, and the inconsistency draws attention to itself. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2016, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784/20 "2016-12-29T00:36:29Z")
After watching a few episodes of _ **24** _, I was convinced you could stay awake and alert for three consecutive days, not eat, not go to the can, get shot with a pistol and an assault rifle, be stabbed multiple times in the gut, and still enjoy a cup of coffee once you’ve killed all the terrorists. 🆒 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/television-has-been-lying-to-me/775784.md?page=2)