Manual defibrillators have existed decades longer than automatic ones. Even without an AED immediately available, CPR is useful as long as someone has activated EMS (i.e. called 911). EMS always carries a defibrillator (whether automatic or manual) and CPR buys the patient time until EMS arrives.
My point more precisely should have read "CPR with no possibility of prompt defibrillation is mostly theater."
My point more precisely should have read "CPR with no possibility of prompt defibrillation is mostly theater."