Manual CPR apparatus allowing the application of force at two points separated by a line making a nonperpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the patient. The line separating the two force points may also lie out of the plane formed by the devices belt which circumnavigates the patients torso. These geometrical configurations allow the facile application of the CPR force to the device by one or more operators located along the side of the patient. The device may have the capability to limit the achieved circular chest compression to one of a plurality of magnitudes. The device may also provide signals to indicate the appropriate times for applying pressure and may incorporate electrocardiogram and defibrillation components. The device may contact the patients chest with a suction cup or other adhering component to assist in the patients chest expanding in the interval between compressive strokes.
