Media's kiss of life - first aid myths in films
When I was younger, I used to watch different kinds of films and naively believing almost everything I saw there. Sure, it must be possible to land like that after a jump, a defibrillator will 'shock people into life', relationships are only trouble until you start dating (and inevitably there is going to be a romantic scene in the rain) and so on. In a sense, these can be funny and some are harmless, but sometimes they give misinformation that can cost us greatly.
There are many examples of media ignorance, but for now, I would like to focus on a particular one, first aid because it can be the difference between life and death. Let's see what the media tells us versus the truth.
Myth: Defibrillators are for paramedics/doctors only
Most of us can recall at least one scene in a film where paramedics use a defibrillator on a person. I can almost guarantee you though that you can't recall a time when a bystander did the same. It might give you the fake idea that unless you have specialist training, using a defibrillator is way out of reach. While this might be true to the manual ones, here is the
Truth: Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are easy to use
All you need to do is turn it on and follow the instructions. It doesn't require any kind of specialist knowledge or skill. AEDs are present in many places nowadays. If you are in doubt, look out for a heart and lightning sign in big supermarkets, petrol stations, train stations etc. After calling emergency help, using a defibrillator and doing CPR on someone in need will drastically increase their chances of survival.
Myth: I can't do CPR so I won't even try
You might have never learnt cardiopulmonary (referring to the heart and lungs) resuscitation or you just feel like you've forgotten everything so in the fear of 'messing it up', you don't even try. Sounds familiar? Films usually like to ignore the reality of a situation like this arising because of course it is easier that way. But is it right that way?
Truth: Bad CPR is still better than no CPR
Even if you CPR is not 'ideal', you increase the chances of the person surviving. The main aim of it is to 'buy time' while emergency help arrives. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, you will need to give them 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths (optional) and then keep doing this until someone takes over or they recover. Here's a video on how to do CPR. Also, remember, if you don't know how to do it, the emergency dispatcher will be able to guide you through the phone.
Myth: Someone else will come and help
In most films, if the main character can't provide first aid, then there is someone else right there or the paramedics are on their way. Either way, people look away, give way to their panic or just wait for someone else to do something. This is actually a well-documented phenomenon, called the bystander effect.
Truth: You are the help
Yes, there is barely anything more reassuring than someone (figuratively) holding our hands while we do things, but it won't happen all the time. When someone needs urgent help, you can say it's not your responsibility, but I ask you to then think about the people you care about. Would you want someone to leave them in a crisis because they don't know them? Anyone can end up in a situation where they depend on other people's help. So be the help. Sometimes the smallest things can make a big difference, even if that just means keeping them company.
Fight ignorance with knowledge: learn first aid and save lives. When media tries to give you the kiss of life, show them how to do a rescue breath.
There are many examples of media ignorance, but for now, I would like to focus on a particular one, first aid because it can be the difference between life and death. Let's see what the media tells us versus the truth.
Myth: Defibrillators are for paramedics/doctors only
Most of us can recall at least one scene in a film where paramedics use a defibrillator on a person. I can almost guarantee you though that you can't recall a time when a bystander did the same. It might give you the fake idea that unless you have specialist training, using a defibrillator is way out of reach. While this might be true to the manual ones, here is the
Truth: Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are easy to use
All you need to do is turn it on and follow the instructions. It doesn't require any kind of specialist knowledge or skill. AEDs are present in many places nowadays. If you are in doubt, look out for a heart and lightning sign in big supermarkets, petrol stations, train stations etc. After calling emergency help, using a defibrillator and doing CPR on someone in need will drastically increase their chances of survival.
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| An example of how an AED looks like (source:Today) |
Myth: I can't do CPR so I won't even try
You might have never learnt cardiopulmonary (referring to the heart and lungs) resuscitation or you just feel like you've forgotten everything so in the fear of 'messing it up', you don't even try. Sounds familiar? Films usually like to ignore the reality of a situation like this arising because of course it is easier that way. But is it right that way?
Truth: Bad CPR is still better than no CPR
Even if you CPR is not 'ideal', you increase the chances of the person surviving. The main aim of it is to 'buy time' while emergency help arrives. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing, you will need to give them 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths (optional) and then keep doing this until someone takes over or they recover. Here's a video on how to do CPR. Also, remember, if you don't know how to do it, the emergency dispatcher will be able to guide you through the phone.
Myth: Someone else will come and help
In most films, if the main character can't provide first aid, then there is someone else right there or the paramedics are on their way. Either way, people look away, give way to their panic or just wait for someone else to do something. This is actually a well-documented phenomenon, called the bystander effect.
Truth: You are the help
Yes, there is barely anything more reassuring than someone (figuratively) holding our hands while we do things, but it won't happen all the time. When someone needs urgent help, you can say it's not your responsibility, but I ask you to then think about the people you care about. Would you want someone to leave them in a crisis because they don't know them? Anyone can end up in a situation where they depend on other people's help. So be the help. Sometimes the smallest things can make a big difference, even if that just means keeping them company.
Fight ignorance with knowledge: learn first aid and save lives. When media tries to give you the kiss of life, show them how to do a rescue breath.
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