# What is extremely common in TV or movies but almost never happens in real life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311 "2021-02-06T04:16:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 244
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4889 "2025-04-14T23:49:59Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > So anyway, bad depictions of CPR have been brought up. Worst CPR I ever saw was on _CSI: NY._ Guy who was being interrogated collapsed into a seizure, frothing at the mouth, and all, and the detective **immediately** begins chest compressions, during which, a CSI takes the pulse of the seizing guy, and notes that he “has a pulse.” I hope to shout he does. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4890 "2025-04-15T05:59:33Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > What _is_ done is high-quality CPR and a rapid dose of epinephrine. Outside hospitals, it doesn’t even need to be _high-quality_ CPR. Traditional first aid was just “hit them in the chest really hard”, and in the one case I knew about, that worked. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4891 "2025-04-15T06:04:38Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t know how easy it ever was to hotwire a car You can remove the distributor, but the guys down on the docks of Hawaii were on to that too, and would carry a spare. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4892 "2025-04-15T17:25:51Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Worst CPR I ever saw was on _CSI: NY._ Watch _Madame Web_ if you want to see real CPR. In one movie it happens 4 or 5 times. Each one worse than the last. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4893 "2025-04-15T17:34:31Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Watch _Madame Web_ if you want to see real CPR. Honestly, it’s like the writers wanted all the CPR scenes to be infuriatingly stupid. Let’s take time in the middle of our flight from a superpowered maniac to hold a “basics of CPR” class. You know, just in case, wink wink that’s foreshadowing if you didn’t notice. Oooh, there’s a guy who fell down, let’s hit the ol’ CPR for a bit, that’s what you do to unconscious people. When he opens his eyes, send him home, no need for followup treatment it’s not like his heart stopped or nothin’, just needed some CPR to get him back on his feet. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4894 "2025-04-15T17:40:50Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Let’s take time in the middle of our flight from a superpowered maniac to hold a “basics of CPR” class. Even stupider is that the CPR class was because the bad guy uses a powerful neurotoxin and CPR is supposed to be the cure. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4895 "2025-04-17T21:29:41Z")
Maybe this is just me. But in movies/TV when someone is about to take a standardized test that’s closed by a small piece of tape and they use their pencil to break it open right when they start the test. In my experience the tape is so thin you can just open it by opening the test paper yourself. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4896 "2025-04-17T21:40:34Z")
Thanks for the info. Even after reading it, I couldn’t do it to save my soul. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4897 "2025-04-18T05:38:48Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Worst CPR I ever saw was on _CSI: NY._ Guy who was being interrogated collapsed into a seizure, frothing at the mouth, and all, and the detective **immediately** begins chest compressions, during which, a CSI takes the pulse of the seizing guy, and notes that he “has a pulse.” I hope to shout he does. Just be glad it wasn’t an episode of NCIS. That show would have had two people giving the guy chest compressions at the same time, just like they use 2 people typing on the same keyboard to defend against a hacker. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4898 "2025-04-18T09:06:18Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > Just be glad it wasn’t an episode of NCIS. That show would have had two people giving the guy chest compressions at the same time, just like they use 2 people typing on the same keyboard to defend against a hacker. 😆 😆 😆 One for the heart, and one for the soul, right? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4899 "2025-04-18T13:08:05Z")
There’s been much discussion of the knockout blow that causes prolonged unconsciousness with no lasting damage whatsoever ( **wrong** – any injury that causes unconsciousness for more than a few brief seconds risks severe brain injury). Also the old “splash some chloroform on a rag and hold it over someone’s face-- they’re instantly down for the count” maneuver ( **wrong** – it takes several minutes for cholorform to put someone out). But how about the tried-and-true “take out enemies you don’t want to kill with a tranq dart gun” move? I was just reminded of that in a book I’m reading, but it shows up all the time in TV and movies. Has that been mentioned in this thread yet? Yes, looks like once, from a thread search: > [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > > [@echoreply](#): > > > > In comedies, laxatives work instantly. > > Just like tranquilizer darts. Tranquilizer darts shot from air guns _is_ a thing, but to sedate animals, not people. I did a bit of googling to see how quickly they do work (I hope I’m not on some kind of Google watch list due to the crazy things I google while looking up info for various posts like this). According to [this wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dart_gun): > If an animal is out of control, a fast-acting sedative will be used. These take between 2 and 8 minutes to take effect So if you’re looking to humanely take out a sentry before they can alert the rest of the outpost, tranq darts won’t work-- they’ll have plenty of time to hit the alarm button before they go down. Also, [there’s no way to exactly gauge the proper dosage](https://youtu.be/XQztYce9Ko8) (YT ‘what if’ video)-- it could be too little, just relaxing them; too much, killling them; it could also cause a serious allergic reaction that required emergency medical attention. ---
**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:** [April 18, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4900 "2025-04-18T13:18:03Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The good guys are holding their own until one of the bad guys pops up with a Thompson submachine gun and starts hitting targets with effective long range fire. Was it one of those magical movie machine guns that didn’t require reloading? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4901 "2025-04-18T18:08:25Z")
Ah, old school memes, with the great title “[2 idiots 1 keyboard](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8qgehH3kEQ)” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4902 "2025-04-19T05:48:26Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > The good guys are holding their own until one of the bad guys pops up with a Thompson submachine gun and starts hitting targets with effective long range fire. > > Was it one of those magical movie machine guns that didn’t require reloading? It wasn’t that bad. That particular bad guy kept popping up from behind a car. He had plenty of time to reload. Watching it I was thinking how much better it would have been if they were using a BAR. Effective at long range and correct for the period. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4903 "2025-04-19T19:57:36Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Watching it I was thinking how much better it would have been if they were using a BAR. Effective at long range and correct for the period. The Police actually used those! ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4904 "2025-04-19T20:42:58Z")
Reportedly the BAR was Clyde Barrow’s favorite weapon. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4905 "2025-04-20T00:06:18Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Tranquilizer darts shot from air guns _is_ a thing, but to sedate animals, not people. I remember seeing a single-panel cartoon as a kid showing a hippo in a zoo pen and two zoo-keepers on one side, one with a rifle saying, “Funny. He should be down by now,” On the opposite side is a prone guy with a dart in his butt. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4906 "2025-04-20T15:00:25Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Reportedly the BAR was Clyde Barrow’s favorite weapon. There are pictures of him with one. He died the year it became illegal to purchase machine guns. Part of the reason the law was enacted. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4907 "2025-04-20T16:49:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > He died the year it became illegal to purchase machine guns. Part of the reason the law was enacted. Nitpick: heavily regulated (how many gangsters were going to register their machine guns with the federal government?). And of course state laws widely banned them. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/4908 "2025-04-21T01:32:17Z")
My algorithm has decided to show me clips of courtroom dramas. I’ve seen more gavels being banged than I can count. I work part time in a courtroom. I’ve been in many other courtrooms. I’ve never seen a judge use the gavel. Maybe it’s a regional thing? There is a gavel. It’s up there on the bench as decoration saying “this is a courtroom.” I’ve never seen the judge even glance at it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=243) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=245)