The EMT must check the level of consciousness before beginning CPR because; it is the determining factor which says that the procedure must be performed or not.
Explanation:
CPR refers to an emergency procedure which is used to help the individual affected with cardiac arrest.
When an individual is affected with cardiac arrest, he may become unconscious due to sudden stopping of the heart pumping function.
As CPR must be performed only for that patient who is completely unconscious, it is very important to check the conscious level of the patient.
Due to this reason the EMT must check the level of consciousness before beginning CPR.