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MARQUETTE -- Since the 1950s, cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been the same:  two rescue breaths to put oxygen back into the patient's body, followed by 30 chest compressions to spread oxygen-rich blood through the body to restart the heart.

The New England Journal of Medicine says not so fast.  If you don't want to put your lips on a patient, you don't have to.  In their study of almost 2,000 cardiac arrest patients, the results were nearly identical.  Twelve-and-a-half percent of patients who received just chest compressions survived till they were discharged from the hospital, and 11 percent who received chest compressions and rescue breathing survived," explains Christy Beck, Community Service Coordinator for the Superior Upper Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Still, the American Red Cross says if you're CPR certified and willing to resuscitate someone, full CPR is the way to go.

"The American Red Cross still stands by that they should be fully-trained with the 30 compressions to the two breaths, but if someone doesn't feel comfortable with regular CPR, it's kind of up to their judgment as to whether they perform full CPR or compression-only CPR.

The New England Journal of Medicine and the Red Cross agree that further research is needed, and the Red Cross is helping to lead that research. 

Regardless of your position on the study, the Red Cross says to get certified.  It'll set you back less than $40, and you could save someone's life.

"It's important to know what to do and how to help them until EMS personnel arrives, because you could be extending their life," Beck says.

By making mouth-to-mouth optional, more people may be willing to perform CPR until EMS crews arrive, and it'll be easier for medics to coach them on chest compressions alone.

Interested in certification?  The Superior Upper Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross offers three classes each month.  Call (906) 228-3659 for information.