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 . <EOS>