After careful consideration of all your suggestions, I have concluded that there is only one way to ensure better than six-sigma likelihood that I will never break another alum block.

1a. Don't use one at all (not an option)

1. Keep alum block in a foam padded box.

2. Wet face.

3. Carry box into bedroom.

4. Recline on back on the carpeted floor or on the bed

5. Carefully remove alum bloc and apply all over face

6. Return alum bloc to padded box and return to the bathroom

Forget it! That is just too much trouble. Real men take calculated risks. If I must break a few blocks to enjoy the risk of a great SR - then so be it.