Going outdoors isn’t a simple as it used to be. I have this vague recollection of a time when shorts and a tee shirt – or no shirt at all – was enough to wear outside. What was important was that you were outside.

Along the stream, boots or rubber hip waders that usually leaked worked if you had them but sneakers would do. Otherwise, it could rain, so if you had a rain jacket, it might go with you, just in case.

These days, it’s hard to know where prudence ends and marketing begins. For the outdoors, you need to accommodate a what-if list: what if it rains, shines, blows, snows or freezes when you go hiking, running cycling, fishing, skiing, camping . . . . Layering seems to be the answer.

As well, you might encounter a bear, tick or mosquito. And, you’re almost certain to get dry mouth or bang your head.

So, if you’re not in a rush just to get there, you lather on sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. That will keep those UVB and UVA rays from damaging the skin more than it has been already. It might even protect from skin cancer, which doctors say can result after accumulated exposure over a lifetime.

A few years ago, we came off the front nine at Taber, Dean with brimmed hat and sunscreen, Al and I with sunscreen and caps. It was 36 C and we were thirsty, but we knew water coolers waited at a couple of holes on the back nine. We arrived at the first one and really needed water, but the tank was empty. By the 16^th hole, none of us could hit the ball straight. Must have been dehydrated.

They don’t have water coolers at many area courses, so now, after applying sunscreen, I take along a water bottle or sometimes a larger jug with ice and water.

Going to the course, river or woods or even the backyard may require other contingencies.

Mosquito repellent containing DEET is a must if you don’t want to risk contracting West Nile. Or, you can keep your ball out of the rough. DEET can also deter ticks, which can carry several nasty diseases. Long sleeves, pants tucked into socks and no sandals are recommended if you’re going into tick territory.

I’d come across black bears several times on the Crowsnest River. They all seemed at least as worried about me as I was about them and scrambled up a tree in response to my pounding heart. Then, a few years ago, Mike and I ventured to the Fording River in Southeastern B.C. He had a new can of bear spray and offered me his old one with the elapsed expiry date. I figured it couldn’t hurt to have my own. That was after I had bought a bear banger that looked like a pen with a trigger designed to scare a bear away with a loud noise. It’s never been used.

There’s also the helmet for cycling and awareness of what to do, and not, in a lighting storm.

Time to reapply the sunscreen.