12 Misconceptions Movies Have Led Us to Believe

We've gleaned plenty of useful information from watching movies, such as how to effectively counter-attack an enemy or navigate a spaceship through an asteroid belt. While life is long and you never know when these skills might come in handy, the big screen often misleads us, causing us to believe in various myths created over the years. Today, we're here to separate fact from fiction in your favorite blockbusters. Here are 12 myths that movies have led us to believe:

Myth #12: A defibrillator can restart a stopped heart

We've all seen scenes like this in Hollywood movies: A patient lies on a hospital bed connected to a heart rate monitor, and suddenly the beeping stops, replaced by a straight line on the screen. Doctors rush into the room, one of them exclaims, "We're losing them! Get the defibrillator!" Dramatic music plays, someone shouts, "Stay with us!" And miraculously, the heart starts beating, and the hero is saved. In reality, once a heart has stopped beating, a defibrillator cannot restart it.

Myth #11: Chloroform instantly knocks people out

Picture this: A dark, lonely alley where a criminal covers a victim's face with a chloroform-soaked handkerchief. The victim flutters and falls asleep instantly, and the villain nonchalantly tosses the unconscious body into the trunk of a car before disappearing. In reality, it takes up to five minutes for someone to feel the effects of chloroform, which lasts only for a brief period.

Myth #10: Police can trace a phone call within a minute

In movies, when the police try to trace a phone call, they often ask someone to keep the criminal on the line for at least three to five minutes, saying, "Keep them on the line, we've almost got them!" Sometimes, the call is traced instantly. However, tracing a phone call actually takes about an hour, much longer than depicted.

Myth #9: Forensic processes can single-handedly solve crimes

If you've ever watched detective shows, you're probably familiar with forensics. Investigators find blood, saliva, or hair evidence, and these clues provide answers to all the questions. Then, they access a database, and voila, the criminal is found. In truth, it's not that simple. The forensic process only aids in collecting evidence; the bulk of the work must be done by police officers.

Myth #8: You must wait 24 hours before reporting a missing person

Contrary to popular belief, you should never wait to report a missing person. Every second is precious when searching for someone who is missing, so if you have genuine concerns, contact the police immediately. Don't waste precious time.

Myth #7: Drowning victims loudly call for help

In movies, drowning victims often call for help loudly while raising their arms. In reality, it's challenging to notice a drowning person. Usually, they don't get enough air to call for help, and they instinctively use their hands to push themselves up, keeping their mouths above water. Thus, drowning is typically a very quiet process.

Myth #6: Shooting two guns is effective

Shooting two guns simultaneously looks cool in movies, giving the impression that a hero can eliminate more criminals and save more people this way. However, aiming at two targets at once is hardly possible in reality.

Myth #5: Silencers make every gun completely quiet

Contrary to popular belief, a silencer only dampens the noise of a gunshot, but it is still audible. Muffling the sound of a firing weapon is nearly impossible. A silencer primarily reduces decibels to protect your ears rather than disguising your location.

Myth #4: You can unlock a door with a gun

This action movie trope features a single accurate shot that opens a locked door. In reality, a padlock shackle is thick and made of iron, making it unlikely that a small bullet would break it. Instead, the bullet would simply bounce off the lock. It's better to try the key.

Myth #3: Skydivers can talk to each other during freefall

Movies often depict skydivers discussing weekend plans or joking around during freefall, as if they are in the same room. However, the wind rushing past your ears makes it impossible to hear any sounds in reality. Skydivers use gestures to communicate during freefall instead.

Myth #2: The pin of a grenade can be pulled out with one's teeth

Actors often pull grenade pins with their teeth for dramatic effect, but in reality, attempting this would likely result in a toothless individual and an unpulled pin. The pin can only be pulled with one's hand, and even then, it requires some effort. To prevent accidental explosions, designers secure the safety pin with two wires.

Myth #1: An asteroid belt is dense and crowded

Movies often depict flights through asteroid belts as highly dangerous for spacecraft, with the risk of colliding with numerous asteroids. However, the asteroid belt is actually more like an expansive desert, with vast distances of vacuum between asteroids. A spacecraft can traverse the belt without any collisions.

What other popular movie myths are you aware of?