OBJECTIVE: Recommendations on resuscitation teaching techniques, suggest creativity and flexibility of format courses to improve poor retention on CPR skills after training. Our purpose was to review our passed experience on CPR courses, as reference to compare next time with new course models.METHODS. Test results of CPR courses performed in our Hospital by 976 persons during last 8 years, were analized restrospectively. They were distributed on 33 courses, 25 of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), 5 of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and 3 Intermediate (BCLS with airway management). Duration was 20, 6 and 10 hours, following the recommendations of Spanish CPR Committee. Number of learners per course was 16.17 ± 9.6 (x ± SD). Learner's profession was: physicians (42.95%), medical students (34.83%), nurses (16.29%), and auxiliary personnel (5.9%).RESULTS: 91 % passed the written test. After a first or second attempt 98% passed the Basic practical examination, 98% the pediatric basic, 98% the arrhythmias, 95% the airway, and 82% the Megacode. Global course success rate was 89 %. We didn't found any significative difference between professional groups or course format on success rate.CONCLUSIONS.Results of instruction on CPR were considered by the instructors as highly satisfactory on individual practices, following the standard course format. Slightly poor results were found on megacode, originally designed as group evaluation on organization skills. We hipotesized that more time on practices or case course format would reach better instruction on CPR group skills.