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CHARLOTTE -- Before year's end, there could be changes to the way we learn and perform CPR.

A recent study by the New England Journal of Medicine showed reducing the rescue breathing and focusing on chest compressions can be more beneficial, but only for adults.

Industry experts believe these findings will encourage the American Heart Association to change the standards for CPR. The standard now is remembered like this: 30 compressions, two breaths, five times.

“The new techniques that are coming out, we're going to be omitting the breathing, but only in certain circumstances, and that will be just with adults that you actually see that person fall unresponsive,” said CPR educator Claudette Saia.

The studies have shown chest compressions move the oxygen around in a person, which is more beneficial than taking time to breathe air into victims.

Don't stop to take a few seconds to give breaths, just go with the oxygenated blood that is in the person's body already,” said Saia.

She says this is only meant for adults because babies and children need oxygenated blood more quickly.

“So we still want to continue with the pushing and the breathing [for them],” Saia said.

Saia will continue the traditional CPR courses until new standards are released in December. Regardless of the changes, she suggests everyone learn the life-saving skill.

At the end of the year, the American Heart Association will reveal its new CPR protocol.