The American Heart Association has released an advisory statement opening the option for "Hands Only" CPR for lay rescuers in cases of Witnessed Adult Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the out of hospital setting. This is not a standard change, but it does now give the option for lay rescuers who are no capable or not willing to provide ventilations to do only compressions in certain situations. The situation is for witnessed adult sudden cardiac arrest. It is still recommended that ventilations be provided in cases where the adult victim is found unconscious, drowning, drug overdoses, trauma. It is recommended that ventilations be provided to all child and infant cardiac arrest situations.

You can read the FAQ's about Hands Only CPR by clicking on the link. Be sure you understand the scope of this advisory statement and how it may effect you. Many people will assume that the AHA standards have changed to Hands Only CPR for everyone which is not the case.