What is the cardinal rule when dealing with any ice surface?

• A. It is stable and safe.
• B. It may fail at any time.
• C. It will never fail.
• D. It cannot fail.

Answer: (B)

Ice safety centers on recognizing that ice can give way without warning. Its strength is variable and influenced by temperature, currents, and loading; even thick, clear ice can harbor hidden weaknesses, cracks, or weak layers under a snow cover. Because of that, it may fail at any time. The idea that ice is stable and safe or that it will never fail contradicts how ice behaves in real conditions. In practice, treat every ice surface as potentially dangerous, test cautiously, keep a safe distance, and use appropriate safety gear and procedures.