Wasn't he looking? That thin patch was really obvious.

If you want to be safe, you need to intentionally fall in a lot in order to practice getting out.

Generally true of all dangerous activities. This is the purpose of “play” you practice dangerous things in relatively safe, intentional “silly” space, so when you have an actual leopard trying to eat you, you’re not trying newbie stuff for the first time.

You make a good point, but I had a laugh picturing him going "alright, managed to get out of the ice safely. I am 100% ready for leopard attacks."

Maybe in retrospect. But could be also "safe" ice can look like that?

Maybe, although whenever I've seen ice like that it was because there was a large air bubble trapped below and the ice was thin.

Interesting. It looks like he just uses those picks to keep clawing his way through thinner ice until he reaches thick enough ice that doesn't break. Seems like that could be dangerous if the thin ice goes on for long enough that you freeze before you reach a thicker region.

You're supposed to turn around and go back on to ice that you know is safe.

Also when you are out of the water, roll like a log to thicker ice, instead of standing up. This is to reduce chances that the adjacent ice breaks under the pressure.