Life-saving skills like CPR and defibrillation are invaluable for healthcare providers, but they can degrade quickly without regular practice. At CPR Kansas City, an American Heart Association training center, we believe maintaining competency in basic life support (BLS) should be a priority for everyone with a clinical background. Read on to learn strategies for retaining your skills between BLS renewals and why consistent practice is so important. Skill Retention Strategies BLS covers essential techniques like CPR, using an AED, and relieving choking. But without regular reinforcement, these abilities fade quickly. Studies show CPR skills start to decline in as little as two weeks and continue falling off over time. Here are some ways to keep your BLS knowledge fresh before it's time to renew your certification again: Practice with Friends or Family: Set aside 10-15 minutes every month to demonstrate CPR, AED usage, and choking relief on a practice mannequin with a partner. H...