Story
by Mark Goldberg, Artwork by Ricardo Pustanio
How
to hunt for ghosts the safe way: Safety
tips from different ghost hunter groups,
web sites and authors and paranormal
investigators.
Everyone needs rules
and guidelines to follow, Ghost Hunters
too. Everyone knows "Don't ever
investigate alone". Safety in numbers.
But is ther more? Some Grpups and individuals
may dissagree on how to search for ghost.
Yet all agree safety first. While this
certainly isn't a complete course in
paranormal investigation, it will give
you a good idea of how to approach the
subject. Two of the most important things
to remember are safety and the law.
So you want to be
a Ghost Hunter, huh? I can't blame you.
It's fun, exciting and even just a bit
addicting. Once you go on your first
hunt, you'll find yourself "dying"
to go on your second. But first, you
need to get a little education under
your belt.
First recommendation is a "fluff"
book. It's not meant for serious education,
but many do feel it provides the quickest,
most complete overview on the market.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ghosts
and Hauntings.
The Paranormal
Investigator's Handbook. While
not the best book on the market, and
not devoted entirely to ghosts, this
book will still give you some good tips
on investigating ghosts and hauntings.
The Encyclopedia of
Ghosts and Spirits This is a great book
for anyone serious about paranormal
investigation. It's chock full of historical
and helpful info and will prove invaluable
when you're conducting research.
Field Guide to
Spirit Photography You'll definitely
need to add this book to your growing
paranormal library if you're at all
serious about paranormal investigation.
Dale Kaczmarek does a great job of explaining
how a camera works and how you can use
it to gather evidence of the afterlife.
Missing Pieces:
How to Investigate Ghosts, Ufos, Psychics,
& Other Mysteries A good handbook
always helps out, and this is the one
for you.
The International
Directory of Haunted Places You're
going to need a few places to check
out, and this book is a good place to
start. While it certainly doesn't list
all of the haunted places for an area,
it does hit a few of the most popular.
Here you can find
what the top most haunted and successful
Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Investigtors
in America believe are the important
protocals or rules one should follow.
If you think you might
have a ghost or are simply interested
in the paranormal, you may want to try
your hand at ghost hunting. Investigators
with Haunted America Tours offer these
many saftey tips:
Look for ghosts in
historic sites such as old homes, businesses,
theaters, churches, schools, and battlefields
where there is often an abundance of
spiritual energy.
Conduct outdoor investigations
during the fall and winter months when
there is less humidity, pollen, and
insects, and more static electricity.
Choose a time when
there is a high amount of geomagnetic
disturbance and solar flare activity.
A good group can show
you the in's and out's of hunting and
investigating ghosts and spirits, and
yes there is a difference between a
hunt and an investigation. At the same
time, you're ready for your next round
of spirited education.
Bring the Right Equipment
Digital camera
Tape recorder (capable of fairly low
noise recording)
EMF (ElectroMagnetic Field) meter
Wireless phone (for safety - turn off
during investigation)
A well stocked first aid kit is a must!
Richard
Senate’s 13 Rules of Good
Ghost Hunting
1. Let People know where you
are going so if there is a mishap
they can inform the authorities
of where you went and with whom.
Good advise for hikers too. Try
to go in a group if possible.
2. Get permission to visit the
sites! Never trespass as this
can lead to all sorts of problems.
Because of this some of the better
places will be closed to you but,
if you do not have permission
you will not be able to publish
your findings and evidence.
3. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes. Dress in layers as
places can be cold or hot. Wear
a hat when in the sun. Hiking
shoes are best in an outdoor setting,
rubber soled walking shoes best
for indoor work.
Always take water with you and,
if possible, a cell phone to call
for help.
4. Take ways to record your findings
and evidence. Cameras, Tape Recorders,
Videos etc…are good for
this. If you are using a film
camera use high speed film only--At
least 1,000 ASA. Black and White
seems to work best. If you have
a tape recorder, use new music
quality tape. ALSO: Carry extra
batteries as ghosts can drain
energy from batteries.
5. If possible, research the
history of the site and who lived
there or what action happened
there. This will help you in many
ways. The more you know, the better
your investigation will be. Remember,
you are there to collect data.
6. Carry a flashlight (torch)
with you to illuminate dark places
within a site or to find your
way back if you are stranded after
dark. The flashlight is your friend
and it can be the best tool you
have in your kit.
7. Always carry with you a pad
of paper, clip board, pencils
and pens. These can help you record
interviews and anything you experience.
Try to draw a picture of the site,
a floor plan of the place or map.
You can use this to draw a picture
of what ever you encounter at
the site--Drawing and sketching
are skills all ghost hunters (
and archaeologists) need to develop.
8. Always be respectful in doing
investigations. Yes, have fun
and don’t be too serious,
but, respect the ghosts and your
chances are better that you will
encounter an apparition or supernatural
sound. Don’t insult the
ghosts or mock them. Remember,
ghosts are people who just happen
to be dead.
9. Don’t drink alcoholic
spirits, take drugs or smoke pot.
Anything that might impair your
senses are strictly forbidden.
If you do these things it will
cast doubt on your findings. Skeptics
will denounce anything you collect--even
the best evidence you have. We
must be professional!
10. Don’t harm or vandalize
a site. Be like a ghost so that
no one will know you were even
there. Our goal is to collect
data to prove the existence of
ghosts not damage property. If
possible, leave it better than
when you came.
11. If possible try to re-enact
an event that happened at the
site. If it was a Civil War battlefield,
dress as a Civil War soldier.
If the haunting was linked to
a poker game, play poker. This
is called re-stimulation and it
can enhance your chances of getting
supernatural phenomena.
12. Music can be important, as
well, to stimulate events but,
it must be real music, not taped.
So a flute, guitar, etc.. can
be helpful. Play songs that are
linked to the era of the ghost.
This is good for collecting spirit
voices (EVP) as well.
13. Lastly, write up a report
on all you find. Try to publish
your findings as well in a local
publication or magazine. FATE
Magazine is good for this. If
you don’t write the report
and submit it, all you have done
is spin your wheels. Ghost hunting
is a science not a lark. Good
Luck and Good Hunting!
Never ghost
hunt alone. Always take a friend, and
let others know where your going and
how long you expect to be there.
Bring Your Cell Phone! Wireless phone
(for safety - turn off during investigation)
Be Mindful of
Weather Conditions, Avoid rainy, snowy,
or Storm condtions. Dangers abound when
in dark places these conditions can
cause many unseen dangers.
While your at it make sure you have
photo ID on you, because even if you
do have permission and are stopped by
a police officer or park ranger he will
have to establish who you are. Some
states make it mandatory thast you "Always"
carry Photo, Picture ID identification.
Also carry importantphone number, family,
friends, hospital, doctor, police, blood
type, allergy list anything that might
save your life in an emergency.
Obtain written permission from the property
owner before investigating a site.
Remember that successful ghost hunts
can and do take place during daylight
hours also. Another valid point is obtaining
permission, it is mandatory; never trespass
in order to conduct an investigation.
First off it is just plain disrespectful,
it is also illegal, and you may be the
one to find out if those “trespassers
will be shot” signs have any basis
in fact.
There are a
lot of really weird people skulking
around in the dark, and congratulations,
now you’re one of them, at least
until your actual identity is verified.
Also try not to wear T-shirts with ghoulish
slogans or symbols on them, remember
strange people skulking around in the
dark is asking for touble.
Another point
is to know where you are. If you do
have to call 911 for an ambulance it
is essential that you are able to tell
them exactly where you are located.
If you are exploring a hundred year
old cemetery there’s a good chance
it is not a regular stop for the local
paramedics. Write out the location information,
copy it and give a copy to each person
on your team as well as letting some
know where you are, other then those
on the hunt with you.
Ghost hunting need
not happen just at night. The misconception
of day and night ghost hunts is purely
subjective to certain hauntings. Many
spirits or ghost are known to haunt
dring the day and not be active at night
as to what popular belief suggest. The
fear of the dark plays a role in this
myth of night being the only time for
ghost to manefest.
Conducting
Cemetery and Haunted House Ghost Hunts
Arrive early with
your necessary ghost hunting equipment
and give yourself plenty of time to
set everything up. Here is a quick
list of some equipment you may wish
to use: a video camera, EMF detectors,
35 mm cameras loaded with brand new
film and thermometers. Always remember
to bring along plenty of flashlights.
Don't forget to bring along some patience.
Conducting a ghost hunt is a lot like
fishing. You have to use patience.
Start by selecting
a private room or a general location
for a main base of operations. This
base is where all monitoring should
be done. It should not be an area
where ghost activity is high. After
the base has been selected, do a complete
walkthrough of the general area. Check
out every room, and in graveyards,
walk around the tombstones in a 50-yard
radius. Videotape the walkthrough
if you are using video cameras. Make
sure that you know the layout before
you begin the ghost hunt. Get used
to the location. The ghost hunt will
go much better if everyone feels comfortable
with the surroundings.
Use the EMF detectors
to search for anything out of the
ordinary. If you do pick up EMF distortions
or if you feel that there is an unearthly
presence nearby, take more photos.
Just be aware that in cemeteries smooth
glossy tombstone faces will reflect
light from the flashlights or the
camera flash that could create strange
light patterns in the pictures. Glass
objects and mirrors will reflect light
inside houses.
During the initial
walkthrough or at any other time during
the ghost hunt, try not to unnecessarily
touch or move objects. You should
leave the natural environment alone.
As you are doing the walkthrough in
haunted houses, hang up ghost catchers
in doorways, between rooms, or on
staircases. If a ghost passes near
the ghost catcher, they will chime
alerting anyone nearby. A lightweight
wind chime will suffice.
If there are objects
or pieces of furniture that have been
reported to move, put a chalk line
or sticker on the floor next to these
objects. That way, if the objects
happen to move, you have a marker
to judge and measure the exact distance.
Everyone participating
in a ghost hunt should always know
where everyone else is to avoid confusion
and misinterpretations. Sometimes
handheld or headset radio communicators
are good devices to stay in contact
with the other ghost hunting members.
Always log every
event that seems out of the ordinary,
(doors that lock, electrical problems,
swaying chandeliers, strange lights,
etc). Videotape everything for proof.
You can attach glow-in-the-dark
or reflective tape to objects to help
you with the layout and to mark special
locations. The tape will make it much
easier to see dangerous objects in
the dark. You don't need to turn off
the lights inside of the haunted house
to have ghosts appear unless it is
vital to the appearance of that particular
ghost. Even then, leave some lights
on for personal safety. Always have
a couple of mini spotlights ready
for outside ghost hunts in case something
happens and you need light fast.
Do not be afraid
to experiment on ghost hunts. Ask
the ghosts to appear. Put the video
cameras on different settings. Try
the EVP audio taping methods. Use
anything that you think might have
an effect on the ghosts. If nothing
seems to be happening, you might try
to shake things up by playing religious
or music that would be familiar to
the ghost.
On any ghost hunt,
make sure to have packed plenty of
snacks, drinks, and maybe a board
game. Ghost hunts can be long and
tedious. You may have to spend several
weeks inside at a haunted location
before you experience anything strange.
Here is the much anticipated
list of all the basic ghost
hunting tips necessary for optimal
results in the field. The list
was created with your safety
in mind.
A good investigator is objective.
Adheres to scientific protocols,
eliminates all other possibilities
and presents what is found"
Let's Get started...
In the instructions below I
allude to the fact that it is
possible for a ghost to follow
you home, and this is obviously
a concern among ghost hunters.
However, it is extremely rare!
You have more of a chance of
being followed home by an actual
person than of a ghost. I feel
confident if you follow the
rules all will be well. :)
Here are twenty helpful tips:
1. Never go alone on a ghost
hunt. Take along a partner for
safety and peace of mind.
2. Always say a prayer of protection
before and after a ghost hunt.
We don't want those pesky ghosts
following us home!
3. Make sure all of your equipment
is fully charged and that you
have extra batteries available.
Ghosts have the ability to drain
fully charged instruments.
4. Don't walk into an area
snapping pictures right off
the bat. Give those ghosts that
are present some time to get
used to you.
5. Be aware of the surroundings
for safety sake. For best results,
always take a day walk through
before doing a nighttime investigation,
if possible. The other option
would be to show up just before
dark (dusk) and have a look
around before starting.
6. A ghost hunter steps into
an investigation/ghost hunt
with the best of feelings for
those that are with him/her
and for the ghosts that might
be present. In other words,
full respect for the living
and the dead.
7. Above all - NO HORSE PLAY!
A serious and conscientious
ghost hunter gets results.
8. Large groups should split
up into smaller groups of four
individuals or less per team.
9. If you are scientifically
minded, and I hope that you
are.....take along a notebook
to record significant occurrences.
Begin by logging in the starting
time and weather conditions
etc. Also make note of surrounding
lights so as to not confuse
them with anomalies later on
in the pictures. Record all
meter abnormalities, strange
sounds, sightings and feeling
or emotions. Each group should
take their own notes and compare
afterwards.
10. Do not show fear. A gracious
ghost will not come around if
they sense you are fearful.
Yet your fear can have a mischievous
ghost feeding on that fear......not
good.
11. Always remember, you are
the one with the body, and you
are the one with the power.
Don't give up your power to
them through fear.
12. Keep in mind that a lot
of the places you will be investigating
will be secluded. Because of
this you should always bring
along some form of protection.
I suggest pepper spray or a
stun gun. I am of course talking
about protecting yourself from
bad people, not bad ghosts.
*smile*
13. If you are going to be
taking pictures, be sure and
read the Ghoststudy photography
tips page. Click here for that
page
14. If you feel that some unknown
force wants you out of there...then
by all means get out! You should
never go against these feelings
or you could end up having something
show up at your home. Turnabout
is fair play right?
15. Never dare an unseen entity
to make itself known to you.
However, It is okay to ask those
present if you can take their
picture or record their voice.
16. Make sure you have permission
before entering private property
such as a cemetery or abandoned
house. I know how tempting this
can be for a ghost hunter to
do. Just remember this though,
when you are caught sneaking
around, it makes the ghost hunting
community as a whole look bad.
You could also be fined or jailed.
Think about that.
17. If you are not familiar
with EMF meters, you might want
to check out our meter page
for helpful tips on using these
devices. We also have meters
available for sale through our
secured service. Meters can
be quite helpful in locating
ghostly presences.
18. Now a word about ghost
voices, referred to as EVP (electronic
voice phenomena). Take along
an audio recorder and as you
are recording ask questions
to those invisible beings that
might be in the area. Pause
for an answer. It's also a good
idea to ask some questions and
then leave the device recording
in a remote location for around
20 minutes or so. When you come
back you might have your replies!
For a list of EVP instructions
for capturing ghost voices,
please see our EVP page.
19. Be sure and have a look
at out "standards and Protocol"
page for a list of the guidelines
expected when hunting for ghosts.
20. End a ghost hunt/investigation
by evoking the power of God
as a protection. "All unseen
presences must remain here in
the name of God" (or however
you would do it according to
your own personal religious
beliefs). And don't forget to
thank these that are unseen
for any evidence you may have
acquired during the investigation/hunt.
Don't forget to check out your
old photos and you photo albums
for ghost anomalies. You might
be pleasantly surprised at the
ghost pictures you already have!
Join
a Group
Now you've read a few books and visited
a few very haunted web sites, checked
out real ghost photos and heard the
dead speak to you through evps. So whats
next?
Well, Join a ghost
haunted meetup group. Share information
and learn more from doing and association.
It can be fun and scary too.
A documentary
of footage that was taken while visiting
various locations throughout Illinois....locations
such as: Pemberton Hall, Bachelor's
Grove, Violin Annie, Cemetery "X",
Chesterville Witch Grave.
Ghost
Hunting in Illinois (part 1)
Continued
from part one....this video includes
Violin Annie and Bachelor's Grove....
2. Never go ghost hunting alone.
Hunt with at least one companion.
3. Verify location, accessibility,
safety, and related issues ahead
of time. Check each site during
daytime hours to identify parking,
paths, and hazards. Carry a
working flashlight, even during
daytime ghost hunts.
4. Wear suitable clothing,
including sturdy footwear. Don't
eat a heavy meal immediately
before ghost hunting, but don't
arrive hungry, either. Do not
drink alcohol or use drugs before
or during a ghost hunt.
5. Never trespass on private
or posted property, without
specific permission from the
owners or authorities.
6. Leave immediately and cheerfully
if the police or owners ask
you to, even if the property
is not posted. Provide photo
ID if the police ask.
7. If you become unreasonably
frightened, leave. Always follow
your gut instinct if you are
prompted to leave.
8. Remember, you have more
to fear from the living than
from the dead. Haunted sites
are often isolated and deserted.
That makes these sites attractive
to people engaged in illegal
activities. Use caution and
common sense.
9. As your mother taught you,
never speak ill of the dead.
Avoid sarcasm and jokes in haunted
settings. Sometimes, the spirits
"get even."
10. Ghosts do not follow you
home. If you are frightened
and leave a haunted location,
the spirits generally do not
go with you and they cannot
affect your thoughts.
11. If you are troubled by
unwanted thoughts after leaving
a haunted location, relax. Eat
some comfort food. Watch a happy
movie or TV show. Talk it out
with a skeptical friend. Spend
some time in a church. If the
unwanted thoughts persist, see
a professional.
12. Ouija boards are not inherently
evil. The biggest problem with
them is that you don't know
who or what is directing the
platen, and if the entity is
lying. We don't rely upon them
during investigations.
13. Never rely upon cellular
phones in haunted settings.
Often, they won't work. Step
across the street and the phone
usually resumes power/range.
14. Remember that you are visiting
a location that a ghost considers
"home." Behave politely
as you would in someone else's
home.
15. Ghosts do not "possess"
people without their consent.
If someone or something seems
to be taking control, tell it
to stop. Think rude thoughts
at it, and generally picture
yourself as a bigger bully than
the spirit is. This does work
in most cases. If you--or someone
you know--seems "possessed,"
consult a professional and/or
a member of the clergy. It may
not be a ghost.
16. Generally, you cannot help
a ghost. You can advise them
to move on, but don't waste
more than about ten minutes
discussing this. If you aren't
making any progress, it's best
to leave that kind of work to
a professional. Most ghosts
are tied to their earthly locations
because they want to change
something that happened in the
past.
You can't change the past,
and most ghosts aren't really
interested in anything else.
And frankly, some ghosts just
like attention. Don't take their
ploys seriously.
17. There are no documented
cases of someone being seriously
physically harmed by a ghost.
If you're worried about this,
choose a different hobby. Ghost
hunting should be fun.
18. It is reasonable to reimburse
someone for their time and expenses,
if you accompany them on a ghost
hunt. However, if someone is
charging you money as if they're
providing a show... perhaps
they are. Caveat emptor.
If you disagree with these
guidelines, we urge you to create
your own website and offer alternative
opinions.
Other people may be frightened
by shadows, or take risks that
we avoid. We choose not to.
We're simply looking for scientific
evidence to explain what happens
in "haunted" settings.
We pursue this for fun, and
to satisfy our intellectual
curiosity.
Before you go on any Ghost
hunt you should always take
extra precautions so you don't
get hurt. Usually during a hunt
you become nervous, scared and
your emotions are hightened.
These all spell disaster if
you don't know the lay of the
ghost haunted land.
If at all possible, visit the
site during the day before you
go on the hunt. This will allow
you to spot potential hazards
that could change a full night
of fruitful investigation into
an even longer night listening
to seventies music as you flip
through Golf Digest in the waiting
room of the hospital.
Not only will you be able to
spot obsticals but you can also
kind of set up a map in your
head, taking note of where noises
and cold drafts could come from,
thus increasing your ability
to make an accurate assessment
of the paranormal activity of
the property.
You might find out that if
you had gone during the night,
you would have missed the "TRESSPASSERS
WILL BE SHOT ON SITE" sign
that was easy to see during
the day. If you do spot a sign,
no matter how much you'd like
to ignore it, try and go through
the proper means, so that you're
investigating legally.
So, scout it out. Take camera's,
pens, paper and anything else
that will help you plan the
investigation and make it safe,
accurate and efficient.
We'd hate for you to miss a
spook fly-by because you were
too busy getting your foot out
of a hole.
1. NEVER Trespass: Watch out for any posted
warning signs. Always ask for permission
before going onto someone else's property.
Avoid all areas where access is prohibited.
Trespassing will only get you thrown in
jail or worse. Be careful.
2. NEVER Litter: Leave the area exactly
as you found it. Pick up any trash, containers,
and scraps of paper and tape. Wipe off any
chalk marks unless the site is a secluded
area and you plan on returning.
3. NEVER Go alone: Have at least one partner
on ghost hunts. Even if the person doesn't
know anything about ghost hunting. This
provides a little more safety and also a
witness to any strange events that might
occur. If you're alone and there's an unforeseen
accident or emergency, who will help?
4. NEVER Forget to Carry ID: If the police
ever question you about being in a private
area, you will need some form of picture
identification. Preferably a divers license.
They do have the right to ask any citizen
for an ID and if you don't have one they
also have the right to detain you for questioning.
5. NEVER Forget to tell people where you
are: Tell someone where you'll be at and
how long you plan on being gone. If you
run late in the ghost hunt, call and explain
the situation. Never leave friends or loved
ones wondering where you are.
6. NEVER Record false equipment readings:
Test all of your equipment several times
before leaving on an investigation. Replace
batteries as needed. Learn to correctly
use all of the equipment before even thinking
about trying to use them in the field. Remember
to take background readings at the site.
7. NEVER Go directly to a site at night:
Thoroughly check over the site in the daylight
for any dangerous obstacles that may be
invisible in the darkness.
8. NEVER Smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs:
Don't do anything that will impair your
judgment or infect the site's environment.
Use common sense.
9. NEVER Wear colognes, after shave, or
perfumes: Never wear anything that creates
a noticeable odor. The smells may infect
other ghost hunter's judgments. The air
needs to be clear to detect any abnormal
odors. Some outside ghost hunts may require
misquote repellants. Use odor free bug sprays.
Log their use.
10. NEVER Forget to carry a notebook: Everything
needs to be recorded and logged. No detail
is too small. Keep lists of events, actions,
and times. Record with audio and video if
possible.
11. NEVER Forget to wear a watch: This
goes along with the Logbook. You can't record
times if you don't know what time it is.
12. NEVER Whisper: Always speak clearly,
especially if you're recording the ghost
hunt. You don't want to later confuse your
whispering as something supernatural. If
there are ghosts around your voice is not
going to scare them off.
13. NEVER Forget to do research and profiles:
To many ghost hunters don't do the proper
research before going out into the field.
What they are failing to understand is that
good research will only help them with the
possibilities of seeing a ghost.
14. NEVER Use a car's headlights as a main
source of light: Sometimes a car's headlights
come in handy for setting up campsites or
equipment, but don't use them as a long-term
light source. You could drain the battery
enough that the car will not start.
15. NEVER Try to bring everything: Don't
try to carry along every piece of equipment.
Just bring the basics and the equipment
that you absolutely need. Getting bogged
down will only take your attention away
from the ghost hunt.
16. NEVER Forget to bring flashlights:
Always have plenty of working flashlights.
Everyone should have two flashlights on
hand.
17. NEVER Forget extra batteries: Know
what kind of batteries each piece of equipment
takes and how to change them. Always carry
extra sets of batteries.
18. NEVER Forget to take lots of pictures:
Take as many photographs as you can. That
goes the same for video. You can't have
enough of either. Just keep an eye on your
film supplies. Don't run out before the
ghost hunt is over. Always have emergency
rolls of film.
