CPR in Entertainment: Back to the Future: Part II

There is a scene in Back to the Future: Part II that has always made me laugh. While not exactly a scene representing actual CPR in action, it is hilarious.

I did some research into the history of CPR training, and found that the first demonstrations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation happened in 1954, and a doctor published a book called ABC of Resuscitation in 1957. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that CPR was promoted for the public to learn in the United States. This means that the film is historically accurate with regard to the classic moment.

Synopsis of Back to the Future – Part II

In this zany sequel, time-traveling duo Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) return from saving Marty’s future son from disaster, only to discover their own time transformed. In this nightmarish version of Hill Valley, Marty’s father has been murdered and Biff Tannen, Marty’s nemesis, has profited. After uncovering the secret to Biff’s success — a sports almanac from the future — Marty and the Doc embark on a quest to repair the space-time continuum.

CPR in Entertainment is a series based on rescue scenes found in both TV shows and movies. If you have a suggestion for a future entry, please comment below!