Why should CPR always be continued after defibrillation by AED

My understanding of the AED's function is that it depolarises all the cells in the heart so that they all contract at once, and their activity is synchronised (defibrillation stops), afterwhich the SA node may be able to reestablish a normal rhythm.

However even if the shock is successful in stopping defibrillation, CPR is always continued thereafter. Is this because at least some of the time a normal rhythm is not restored even after defibrillation has ended? (i.e. the heart is probably in asystole and needs some other form of treatment like infusion of drugs etc.?)

What if a normal rhythm HAS been restored? I have been told that doing compressions on a person with a normal rhythm can actually cause some form of arrhythmia, is this true? In this case wouldn't continuing CPR be dangerous?

Personally, I agree with you and not with the current BSL/ACLS recommendations.

Without an EKG monitor and some education in interpretation of rhythms, you don't what the heart is doing after a shock is delivered. The only thing that really matters, though, is whether or not there is a pulse. I'd continue CPR with no pulse, and redo the AED. If there is a pulse, I would not do CPR.

I guess they think the lay public does not know how to feel a pulse?