What item is recommended to carry around your neck when riding on ice?

Carrying ice picks around your neck when riding on ice is recommended for safety reasons. In the event of falling through the ice, ice picks can be crucial for self-rescue. They allow a person who has fallen into the water to pull themselves out by gripping the ice and providing leverage. The design of these picks enables users to dig into the ice and create a sturdy hold, which is essential for getting back to safety.

While flotation devices, ice skates, and anchors have their own uses in various situations, they do not serve the immediate rescue purpose that ice picks do. A flotation device is primarily for staying afloat but wouldn’t aid in getting back onto solid ice. Ice skates are unsuitable for rescue and could complicate movement in such dire situations. An anchor, though useful for securing a craft, does not provide a means of self-rescue in the event of ice breakage. Thus, ice picks are the most practical and life-saving item to carry when riding on ice.