A CPR apparatus comprises a chest compression unit and a means for mounting the chest compression unit on a patient. The chest compression unit comprises a plunger disposed in a housing. At its one end extending from the housing the plunger has a compression member. The plunger is driven in a reciprocating manner by a reversible electromotor via a mechanical means for translating rotational motion to linear motion or by a linear induction electromotor. The chest compression unit comprises an electromotor control unit including a microprocessor, a first monitoring means for monitoring the position of the plunger in respect of the housing and a second monitoring means for monitoring the position of the plunger in respect of the mechanical means for translating rotational motion to linear motion or the rotor of the linear induction electromotor. The monitored positions are communicated to the electromotor control unit. Also disclosed is a corresponding CPR method.