->''People will wait to call the EMS because the EMS providers will insist on [[SkewedPriorities interrupting the game to get information]]. Grandpa will be just fine for another hour and a half because (and I quote) "those neurosurgeons can just turn him back on, you know, like in that movie?"''
-->-- '''[[http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=4131273#post4131273 A medic]]''' trying to remain sane

Fiction is not reality. While fiction rarely shows the [[DeconstructedTrope negative consequences of a trope]], reality is not as forgiving. Every trope here can have serious if not fatal repercussions in {{reality|Ensues}} if people treat them as if they were true. These may originate as a case of RealityIsUnrealistic. See also DoNotTryThisAtHome. The result of doing something on this index may well be a Website/{{Darwin Award|s}}.

This is an index. A description of why a trope fits here is fine but examples should go on the respective trope pages. Try not to add 300 additional bullet points if it can be helped.

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!!Tropes:
[[index]]
* AdultsAreUseless: TruthInTelevision to the extent that all humans are by nature biased and fallible. But children rarely have the knowledge or experience required to deal with dangerous or otherwise critical situations, and this trope can lead to them not getting help when they need it in such a situation.
* AerosolFlamethrower: Runs a danger of overheating and exploding, or burning yourself.
* AllAnimalsAreDomesticated: No, pandas are not "cute and cuddly" and ''will'' maul your ass like any bear would if you get too close. Same for many other animals - even some "domesticated" animals can be dangerous if approached in the wrong way, and wild or stray animals should be left alone.
* AlmostLethalWeapons: It's extremely hard to inflict minor wounds on someone with a lethal weapon. Even "nonlethal" weapons such as tasers, tear gas/pepper spray, and bean bag shot can be lethal if used improperly or under the right conditions.
* AppealToNature: A form of the equivocation fallacy—conflating "happens on its own" natural with "consonant to a thing's nature, proper, fitting" natural. A lot of things that happen on their own are not consonant to the nature of the things they happen to (mostly because a thing that's been ''[[AllNaturalSnakeOil destroyed]]'' doesn't even ''have'' its nature anymore).
* AnnoyingArrows: Don't yank that arrow out, unless you like torn organs and muscles, infections, and/or bleeding to death. In fact, try not to get shot by arrows at all. There's a reason why crossbowmen and archers were hated in medieval Europe.
* AssShove: Shoving things up your ass at high speed is not safe for your anus or rectum, and many objects or substances are just plain dangerous to put up there.
* BoozeFlamethrower: ''Slightly'' less dangerous than the AerosolFlamethrower above, but don't do this unless you're a trained performer. If you don't blow hard enough, don't duck fast enough, or don't blow it out the right way, you are getting a mouth full of fire.
* BritishRoyalGuards: As that page will clearly tell you, mocking the guys who are dressed funny ''carrying assault rifles with fixed bayonets'', will get you in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvpOeSrK8Xo a lot more trouble in real life]] than it will in fiction.
* BulletproofHumanShield: Human bodies are pliable and not great against supersonic metal. This is especially true for armor piercing rounds and high caliber.
* CanCrushingCranium: Slamming an object into your head is never a good idea.
* ChainsawGood: RuleOfCool aside, chainsaws are not intended to be used as weapons and are as likely to kill you as the guy you're aiming at (kickback is one mean mother, especially more so on bones that are harder than wood) or break and jam.
* ChokeHolds: Like TapOnTheHead, will most likely cause brain damage from asphyxiation. DontTryThisAtHome.
* ConcealmentEqualsCover: Don't assume that the wooden door, fence, interior wall, car body, or even concrete bricks you're behind will protect you from bullets. It won't.
* ConvectionSchmonvection: Being near a fire, a lava pool, a hot oven, a nuclear or conventional explosion, or some other source of radiant heat can be just as deadly or injurious as being in it. A flashpoint is where an object instantly catches fire when the air is a certain temperature.
* CoolClearWater: Just because water is clear doesn't mean it is safe to drink. It may have lethal chemicals, organisms, or be lethally hot. In fact, the water may be clear DUE to those things: it could mean everything in there (besides microbes) is dead, usually indicating some amount of cyanide.
* CoolBike: Two-wheel motorcycles and scooters are some of the most dangerous vehicles to drive. There is a reason that even people who know how to drive already need to get special training and a special license for riding one in most countries. Riders (or passengers) are also advised to wear leather or Kevlar clothing covering their bodies to reduce the risk of broken bones and deep cuts in the event of a wreck - and don't even think of getting on a motorcycle without a helmet. There's a saying among bikers that it is not IF you will crash but WHEN, even for experienced and careful drivers.
* CoolCar: Some of the more "cool" cars are also more difficult to drive safely or have quirks in control/handling or such that can get an inexperienced driver into an accident.
* CoolPet: Keeping a pet bear, tiger, cobra, ape, etc., is often an extreme strain for both owner and pet, and exceedingly dangerous.
* CouldntFindALighter: Fire spreads incredibly quickly and [[ConvectionSchmonvection is often dangerously hot outside the flame itself]].
* CureYourGays: While thankfully no longer presented as valid in most mainstream media, this trope is still presented and marketed as valid in some conservative and religious media. The risks of these therapies can include severe psychological trauma, financial loss (paying for repeated therapy that does not "work"), depersonalization, dissociation, derealization, unhappy or unhealthy relationships, and suicide among others - as well as not encouraging safe same-sex behavior when the new "heterosexuals" "backslide."
* DefiledForever: This viewpoint in real life causes extreme psychological damage to abuse, rape, and human trafficking victims, is a reason for HonorRelatedAbuse, and sometimes leads to suicides.
* DoNotTouchTheFunnelCloud: The visible part of the tornado is merely the center. The tornado proper extends quite far away from the funnel cloud, to the point where you must distance yourself quite a bit from it if you don't want to subject yourself to winds sometimes in excess of 200 miles per hour. Beyond that you are still in danger of shrapnel.
* ElectricSlide: Touching a high-tension power line will kill or severely injure you, rubber gloves or not. Technicians working on these require special equipment for a reason.
* EveryCarIsAPinto: In real life, it is ''extremely'' rare for a car to explode following an accident, or even to catch fire at all. Because of this trope, bystanders have pulled accident victims from cars, causing further injuries, or worsening already existing ones.
* ExplosionPropulsion: Sure, explosions do make things fly quite fast... body parts included, or other people in the way of it. Or parts of the thing you're trying to make go faster. High explosives aren't toys, kids!
* FartsOnFire: You can incur severe burns on your anus and genitals doing this if it goes wrong. It can also lead to [[BodyHorror internal burns.]]
* FingertipDrugAnalysis: Don't taste the mysterious substance if you don't want to get poisoned or burned by an acid or base.
* FiringInTheAirALot: What goes up must come down. Bullets fired into the air could potentially land on someone a fair distance away, injuring or killing them.
* FriendlyPlayfulDolphin: Dolphins are wild animals. They can be trained to be friendly and playful, but they are also one of the few species other than humans that engages in violence for sport (as opposed to hunting or self-defense), and some have killed or injured humans. Rape/forced sexual contact is also common among some dolphin pods.
* GrievousBottleyHarm: Breaking a bottle almost always causes injury to the person trying to make a weapon out of it. Bottles used in TV are very thin and break easy. On the other hand, an unbroken bottle actually ''is'' an effective club... (DontTryThisAtHome, kids!)
* HardHead: Any head injury should be treated immediately, regardless of whether the patient feels "fine". Brain hemorrhaging could be occurring.
* HarmlessElectrocution: Electrocution is fatal by definition. Electric shocks that don't accomplish death by electrocution (even "controlled" shocks such as electroconvulsive therapy, but especially lightning and high-voltage shocks) can still create burns, heart arrhythmias, brain damage including ongoing seizures, nerve damage, organ failure, and other disabling, possibly permanent damage.
* HarmlessFreezing: Hypothermia and frostbite are not harmless. Cells burst apart when thawed. Warm slowly.
* HealingHerb: Some herbs are indeed medicinal. This means they have side effects, often unpleasant, sometimes lethal. And interactions with other herbs and with pharmaceuticals. And dosage requirements, which are a lot harder to judge in plants with natural variations than in carefully built pills, which means overdoses with all their attendant problems, or alternately, underdoses - not getting enough of the effective substance(s) for a proper therapeutic dose. Also, no herb is a {{panacea}}, and some that may be good for some problems could cause or worsen others, just like pharmaceuticals.
* HeroicFireRescue: Don't do it if you're not a firefighter. Firefighters have experience with fire conditions, protective gear, training - and even ''they'' sometimes die or get seriously injured rescuing people from fires.
* HerbivoresAreFriendly: Most animals are territorial, and there's a reason why some herbivores have very deadly defensive mechanisms. Some of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant#Attacks most]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_buffalo#Relationship_with_humans dangerous]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippopotamus#Aggression animals]] in the world are herbivores.
* HollywoodFire: It's not the fire that usually kills, it's the smoke. Also, fire creates incredibly hot temperatures within seconds ([[ConvectionSchmonvection and not just within the flame itself]]), and within one to two minutes something can be fully engulfed, unlike in the movies.
* HollywoodHeartAttack: The Hollywood portrayal of a heart attack has caused many people to mistake or outright ignore the symptoms for them in real life.
* HystericalWoman: This DiscreditedTrope, now reborn in a more "respectable" sense as claiming that women are "emotional" and have more psychosomatic ailments, leads to death and prolonged suffering in women[[note]]or, sometimes, flamboyant or androgynous gay or bisexual men[[/note]] who actually ''do'' have physical ailments that are dismissed as "all in your head."
* IfItTastesBadItMustBeGoodForYou: This trope has led to the idea that healthy food ''must'' taste bland or bad, and as a result, people eat more "flavorful" and "tasty" junk food rather than create or find recipes for delicious/flavorful/spicy healthy food.
* IncrediblyObviousBomb: Terrorist bombs (as opposed to say, dynamite used legally in mining and construction) and military land mines are usually ''engineered'' to not be obvious, because their effectiveness and fatality relies upon their not being detected until they explode. Nor do they generally tick. Odd smells, strange wires, and objects that are out of place or suspicious are far more likely to be a bomb. In the case of mines/minefields, if they are unmarked (and there are a variety of markings - it is a very good idea to look these up before going to a possibly mined area), watch out for dead animals, damaged vehicles, avoided areas, and wires or suspicious ground formations.
* ImprovisedZipline: Real ziplines take a while to construct and require specific, strong materials so they don't break. The cords are designed to support the weight of an elephant or two for a reason.
* InstantEmergencyResponse: In most moderate-sized cities, fire and police response is around four to five minutes with EMS being around six. In major urban areas add a few more minutes. In sparse rural areas and/or during a busy night or disaster, times of 20 minutes to an hour ''even for immediate situations'' are not unknown. The ''only'' time instant emergency response happens is due to luck. This is why learning at least basic first aid is a very good idea no matter where you are, and why it's always a good idea to call for help sooner than later (e.g. it's better to have the police on their way while the burglar is trying the door handles than when he's smashed the window and is inside, and better to have the fire department on the way when you first smell smoke/burning rather than when the room is about to be fully engulfed in flames). It's also one of the more contentious issues in the gun control debate.
* InstantSedation: A drug that might instantaneously make someone unconscious is also most likely to kill them because of its potency that slows or stops nervous system or vital functions far too quickly or effectively. On the flip side, don't expect something tranquilized to go down immediately - it takes time for it to spread through the bloodstream and leave the target conscious enough to be very, very annoyed with you.
* JammedSeatbelts: Seat-belts and shoulder belts do jam occasionally (or worse, melt), but nowhere near as often as they do on TV or in the movies, and fear of this causes people to ''not'' wear them and instead go headfirst through a windshield. If you must worry about it, keep a knife or seatbelt cutting tool in the glove compartment. The ''only'' exceptions to this are ice-road travel or travel over a bridge of questionable integrity over a body of water where the risk of a breakthrough into the water is higher than that of a vehicle collision - in which case the concern isn't even jammed seatbelts, but that wearing a seatbelt will add time to your escape from frigid or deep water.
* LawOfInverseRecoil: If you don't account for recoil, you WILL lose control of your gun and shoot off-target -- [[IJustShotMarvinInTheFace maybe even someone]]. The heavier caliber guns can also hit you in the face. Do NOT adjust your grip by [[Series/{{Mythbusters}} putting your thumb]] next to the cylinder of the revolver. That will break or cut off your thumb and give you severe burns.
* LaxativePrank: This is, in fact, a criminal offense in most jurisdictions, and a particularly dangerous one as the victim can become dangerously dehydrated, have a dangerous drug interaction, or even experience a [[{{Squick}} bowel rupture]]. Some supposed prank laxatives, such as Visine, are more likely to [[http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/visine.asp kill]] than loosen bowels.
* LittleUselessGun: Any gun can injure or kill, regardless of size and/or caliber. There have been cases of people being shot with small-caliber pistols, brushing it off because it didn't inflict as much pain as a larger bullet, and dying from undetected internal damage.
* MagicPlasticSurgery: Real plastic surgery causes scarring and requires extensive and painful recovery time, things they don't show you on TV. Repeated operations can ruin the skin and facial structure. Also, it's ''surgery'', and invasive surgery at that.
* MissingBackblast: Firing a rocket launcher or a recoil-less rifle in an enclosed space will kill the person firing it and those around him or her.
* {{Mismeasurement}}: An all too common cause of death and serious injury in RealLife. It's always a good idea, especially when dealing with chemicals (especially consumed drugs or medications, or anything that can cause a fire or explosion) to make sure the measurements are correct, and to always assume less is better. Also, when working with extremely strong acids or bases, add them to the water, not the other way around, regardless of measurements.
* {{Mooning}}: In some locations, showing off your ass can and will get you arrested for public indecency, or maybe even second degree sexual assault if the prosecutor is upset enough and/or can prove there were children around - which, unless you can afford a ''damn'' good lawyer to get it down to drunk and disorderly conduct, means likely felony charges, prison, and a spot on the sex offender registry.
* NoMedicationForMe: Going off your meds unless recommended by a certified doctor isn't advised, especially if you're mentally ill, or have certain physical illnesses (such as insulin-dependent diabetes or HIV/AIDS) where there is ''no cure'' as of this date and the medication is ''keeping you alive,'' even if it's a burden to use properly or its side effects suck. In addition, withdrawal symptoms for some medications can include things such as seizures, so you should NEVER just suddenly stop taking medication.
* NonFatalExplosions: RealLife explosions kill and injure. If people aren't killed or injured in one, it is solely due to luck. If nothing else, your ears can suffer permanent damage with burst eardrums being one of the most common explosion effects. The blast wave of an explosion does most of the damage and it is why someone who looks "fine" can actually have fatal internal injuries.
* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: It's not, all right. It's the sudden stop at the end, regardless of where you land or how (if) you break the fall. [[Series/{{Mythbusters}} Hitting water can tear off limbs.]]
* OneDrinkWillKillTheBaby: While pregnant women are advised to eliminate alcohol in the first three months of their pregnancy, much media exaggerates the danger. As a result, there are a number of cases of women who accidentally took a drink and then remembered they were pregnant going to dangerous lengths to attempt to induce vomiting to "save the child."
* OneManArmy: There's a reason why most military organizations emphasize teamwork, and why police call for backup. Many RealLife one man armies had help and almost always got wounded or killed.
* OnlyAFleshWound: Injuries that don't involve vital organs and are left untreated can still result in death from blood loss, infection, or permanent debilitation, and they leave permanent scarring.
* OnlyBadGuysCallTheirLawyers: Always call a lawyer if you're accused of ''anything'' with consequences above a citation. If you are ''ever'' placed under arrest, you ''need'' a lawyer, and sometimes one is a good idea even if you're not arrested but are being questioned or even if you're only a witness. On a related note, if your country allows silence as a right, ''invoke and use that right'' until/unless your lawyer advises you otherwise. If you are involved in a lengthy interrogation without a lawyer, demand one and don't answer questions if possible.
* OutsideRide: Being on the outside of a moving car or train is likely to result in injury or death. Being on the outside of a moving aircraft is certain death, unless you're a professional barnstormer. Either way, [[DontTryThisAtHome it's not something you should be trying on a whim]].
* PantsPositiveSafety: Carrying a loaded firearm in anything but a holster specified for that firearm can get you or others shot.
* PullTheIV: It's an invitation to bacterial infection, septicemia, and traumatic bleeding. Don't pull the IV. Let the medical professional pull the IV.
* PutDownYourGunAndStepAway: If you're asked to do this, he probably just wants to shoot you.
* RampJump: Trying this stunt with an ordinary car will almost always cause a crash with the same effect as a head-on collision because the nose of the car hits the ground first, and if it doesn't the car's still likely to be trashed. Motorcycles tend to skid or flip on the landing.
* RearingHorse: This is not cool. This is the most dangerous vice known to equestrianism, and anyone in doubt as to whether they're qualified to ride a horse that does this is most certainly ''not'' so qualified. A rearing horse is a horse very likely to go over backwards, breaking its bones and its rider's.
* ScienceIsBad: Poses danger to the development and future of humanity itself by stunting progress and discovery.
* ShotToTheHeart: If your friend is going into shock, DO NOT, under ''any'' circumstances, stab him in the heart with a giant needle.
* SoftGlass: Normal glass can be far harder than you'd think, and breaks with nasty sharp edges besides. More often, it does not break and will injure you.
* SoftWater: A fall into water may cause ''less'' injury than hitting solid ground, but it will still be lethal from a significant height, resulting in similar crush injuries.
* STDImmunity: You don't have it. Always use a fresh new condom if you aren't with a monogamous partner. Disease transmission can also occur through open sores and other skin lesions, plus saliva (but rarely AIDS). Immunity is very rare and practically impossible to be immune to more than one.
* SteelEarDrums: Sufficiently loud noises will damage your hearing, possibly permanently. There is a reason musicians other than singers tend to wear ear protection when they rehearse or even sometimes play live - and why hard rock / heavy metal singers, who often can't wear effective ear protection live, often have the highest rates of hearing impairment (up to and including ruptured eardrums) as a career-related injury.
* SuckOutThePoison: Trying to suck the venom out of a snakebite wound is highly ineffective in almost every case, and will often increase the victim's risk of infection and the first-aiders' risk of poisoning.
* SuperWindowJump: Again, no matter how fast you jump through it, it can still cut you. If you punch a window and it breaks, you are lucky if you aren't bleeding... or if it shatters. If you absolutely have to break a window to escape danger, throwing a heavy object at it or kicking it with the steel toe of a protective boot is a better option.
* TapOnTheHead: A blow to the head is more likely to kill or lead to long term injury than temporary unconsciousness. At best, you'll get a concussion.
* TrashLanding: Glass and sharp objects are commonly found in garbage bins. Safer than concrete or glass, but ''only'' should be attempted, as the page says, if the alternative is certain death.
* UndersideRide: Even more likely to result in death or injury than OutsideRide above - being run over by the car or other cars or [[BodyHorror torn up on the road and/or things on the car.]]
* VariableTerminalVelocity: All things fall at the same speed, regardless of mass, weight, or other factors save for air resistance. Don't jump after someone who's fallen off a ledge hoping to save their life, not even if you've got a parachute. You won't catch up.
* WeaponForIntimidation: Sometimes this does work in RealLife, but other times it makes things ''much'' worse. One should ''only'' threaten someone if your life is at risk and you are willing to face the consequences of following through on your threat.
* WorstAid: If all you know about first aid is what you've seen on TV, you are not the best person to administer it.
* YouCanPanicNow: Where moral panic goes, sometimes deaths and injuries follow.
[[/index]]
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