Selecting a non-locked row.

I'm in the process of writing an application, and I'm not sure
how to properly solve it.

I have a table with records in, and they either still need to be
processed or not.  Several people will be using the table at the
same time.

I was thinking about using a select .... for update limit 1, but
the other persons will of course try to select the same record
and wait until that one is released.  The locks are held for a
long period of time.

Is there a way to select a row that is not locked yet?


Kurt