An apparatus for providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation comprising: a rigid frame assembly having a support assembly including an arch and a backplate, the arch and the backplate cooperating to define an opening dimensioned to permit placement of a human torso comprising a back and a sternum therein, the arch defining a through bore, the bore positioned in the arch to allow placement of the sternum generally below the bore when the back is positioned on the backplate; a compression module having: a drivetrain comprising a motor, a drive, and a ram, the ram connected to the motor by the drive, and a housing supporting the drivetrain and dimensioned such that at least a portion of the housing fits within the bore in an orientation permitting the ram to be moved into a therapeutic position as to the torso in the area of the sternum and permitting the ram to be reciprocated whereby the sternum is sufficiently compressed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a control system having a microprocessor and a control panel for directing movement of the ram; and a power source electrically connected to the control system and motor; the apparatus characterized by: the bore having a lock integrated with the arch; and a quick-disconnect first mount that forms a portion of the housing and that fits within the lock such that the quick-disconnect first mount removably engages the lock for connecting and disconnecting the compression module to or from the arch, the compression module thereby being removable from the arch. a rigid frame assembly having a support assembly including an arch and a backplate, the arch and the backplate cooperating to define an opening dimensioned to permit placement of a human torso comprising a back and a sternum therein, the arch defining a through bore, the bore positioned in the arch to allow placement of the sternum generally below the bore when the back is positioned on the backplate; a compression module having: a drivetrain comprising a motor, a drive, and a ram, the ram connected to the motor by the drive, and a housing supporting the drivetrain and dimensioned such that at least a portion of the housing fits within the bore in an orientation permitting the ram to be moved into a therapeutic position as to the torso in the area of the sternum and permitting the ram to be reciprocated whereby the sternum is sufficiently compressed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a drivetrain comprising a motor, a drive, and a ram, the ram connected to the motor by the drive, and a housing supporting the drivetrain and dimensioned such that at least a portion of the housing fits within the bore in an orientation permitting the ram to be moved into a therapeutic position as to the torso in the area of the sternum and permitting the ram to be reciprocated whereby the sternum is sufficiently compressed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a control system having a microprocessor and a control panel for directing movement of the ram; and a power source electrically connected to the control system and motor; the apparatus characterized by: the bore having a lock integrated with the arch; and a quick-disconnect first mount that forms a portion of the housing and that fits within the lock such that the quick-disconnect first mount removably engages the lock for connecting and disconnecting the compression module to or from the arch, the compression module thereby being removable from the arch. the bore having a lock integrated with the arch; and a quick-disconnect first mount that forms a portion of the housing and that fits within the lock such that the quick-disconnect first mount removably engages the lock for connecting and disconnecting the compression module to or from the arch, the compression module thereby being removable from the arch.