Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly compressing the chest of a patient to stimulate blood circulation and breathing, includes an energizable actuator (16) that repeatedly presses against the patient's chest, a torso wrap (32) that wraps to the back of the patient, and a stabilizer (130) that minimizes tilt of the actuator. The stabilizer is generally in the form of an inflatable toroid, or foam toroid, which extends substantially completely around the actuator to prevent tilting in any direction. The actuator includes a reciprocating member (14) that is not only moved down to compress the chest, but that is also pushed up to allow the chest to rise more rapidly. A pressing member (68) at the bottom of the reciprocating member, can tilt. The means for cycling includes compressed breathing gas for cyclically pushing down the reciprocating member, the actuator exhaust being delivered to the patient for breathing.