Now the heart association has given equal standing to hands-only CPR.

Sharon is one of more than 35 people who has given hands-only CPR a go and helped save a life.

But if the person is unresponsive, go on to hands-only CPR.

After hands-only CPR started being promoted, the rate improved to almost 40 percent, according to the state health department.

Under the association's existing advisory, no preference is given to hands-only CPR.

"We know hands-only CPR works, but more bystanders need to step in if we're ever to see the majority become the minority."

People who quickly get hands-only CPR while awaiting medical treatment have double or triple the chance of surviving.

If you are not, then Hands-Only CPR is a good option.

And you want to initiate hands-only CPR.

Such data can engage community members -- motivating them to learn hands-only CPR, she said.

It also carried out a campaign in 2012 to educate more people on how to carry out hands-only CPR.

The current guidelines encourage bystanders to at least do chest compressions, also known as hands-only CPR.

The Red Cross also has a video demonstrating hands-only CPR on its channel.

This study confirms that Hands-Only CPR is highly effective.

With "hands-only CPR," the rescuer pushes down hard and fast in the center of the chest without rescue breaths.

Moreover, studies in recent years have shown that hands-only CPR can be as effective as the traditional version for cardiac arrest caused by heart problems.

Studies have shown that hands-only CPR is just as effective as the traditional way when it comes to helping adult cardiac arrest victims.

"Performing hands-only CPR can be life-saving," Sayre said, "and people should not hesitate to help."

"Hands-only CPR should give have-a-go heroes the confidence to step in and help when somebody is in cardiac arrest," he said.

In Glendale, firefighters are continuing an ongoing effort to teach hands-only CPR in schools and to community members.

Although hands-only CPR is effective in most cases, it is not recommended for children under 8, drowning victims or those suffering from a drug overdose.

Hands-only CPR is simpler and easier to remember and removes a big barrier for people skittish about the mouth-to-mouth breathing.

The heart association started the "Hands-Only CPR" campaign last year, encouraging people to deliver chest compressions 100 times per minute.

Hands-only CPR is also easier to teach, learn and remember than conventional CPR.

The American Heart Association has a Web site with information on how to effectively perform hands-only CPR, at handsonlycpr.org.