Trainees' retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. How quickly they forget.

Lay persons trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were evaluated six months after completion of a four-hour basic life support course to determine the degree to which CPR cognitive and psychomotor performance skills were retained. Evaluation criteria were based on the American Heart Association's recommended standards. The data disclosed a significant decrease in the resuscitators' retention of CPR knowledge and skills.