Tips and Tools for getting the edge on the ghost hunting experience.
* Check out the site in daylight so you are familiar with the area. Look for obstacles that might be dangerous that you will not be able to see in the dark.
*Make sure you are not trespassing, look for posted signs. If you are on private property you run the risk of getting ticketed or possibly arrested. You can get permission from many owners and or caretakers. It also might be helpful to notify the police or authorities in the area that you will be there so they are aware of what is going on if a passerby or neighbor who doesn’t know what you are doing reports your presence.
* Don’t go anywhere alone and don’t wander off by yourself during an investigation, make sure another investigator is always with you. There are a couple reasons for this
- Validate phenomena, two pairs of eyes are better than one
- Added bravery, when your with a group things can seem a lot less scary than they do when your by yourself
- Most importantly SAFETY!
* Always carry valid I.D (drivers license, military I.D, etc)
* Photos taken in the dark during the psychic hours (9pm-6am) seem to be the best but a photo taken anytime can have positive results.
* Research the location. The internet, old newspapers, Tax Assessors Office and books can be helpful in finding information about the site.
*Absolutely no drugs or alcohol during an investigation, for obvious reasons.
* All smoking needs to be done in a designated area, away from anyone taking pictures. Smoke in a picture can sometimes look like an anomaly.
*No cologne or perfume or anything with a noticeable scent because spirits sometimes use scents to get our attention.
* Be open minded and respectful of the locations you visit.
Tools to aid in your findings =]
Tool Box or back pack, something to carry all of your hunting tools
Cameras: 35mm and Digital- Both have their advantages. Taking pictures with a 35mm is nice because any pictures you take you will have the negatives to back them up. Digital cameras are great because you can see your picture immediately and let you know if you’ve captured anything in the shot, plus you can delete pictures that didnt come out well. prices start anywhere from 50 to over 800$ dollars.
Video Camera- There are many makes and models, the Sony line seems to be preferred. The most important feature is night shot capability which allows you to record in total darkness. prices start anywhere from 100 to over 600$ for standard camera's. the more features and extra's the more money it might go up. keep your eye out for sales on all items mentioned here.
Tape Recorder- Full size or hand held, both work well. Using an external microphone is recommended to reduce the amount of noise created by the internal functions of the recorder itself. prices start from 20 up to 200$
Digital Recorder- They have a voice activation feature that only records when it hears something which is nice because it cuts down on the amount of audio that will need to be reviewed. It will also log the date and time the recording took place. prices start from 50 to over 200$
Electromagnetic Field Detector- These meters detect fluctuations in the electromagnetic field and are very useful when used properly. Make sure you read the directions because each model varies a little bit. prices for this item are usually under 150$ dollars, ive seen some for around 60$ but you pay for what you get, so keep that in mind.
Temperature Sensing Equipment- This equipment allows you to record cold spots and other temperature anomalies. there are various types of temp sensoring equipment, from lasers, to infra-red... prices range from 25 to over 150$
Motion Detector- It will give off an alarm when the infrared beam is broken. there are many types of motion detectors, many of them do just that. keep an eye out for details to which you plan on buying. prices start from 100 and go up
Two Way Radios- These are important for keeping in contact with the other members of your group who are in a different area of the investigation location. most 2 way radios have up to 40 channels, and an average 5mile range. try to get the ones with higher range and filtered channels so you dont get radio chatter from other hand helds, and even cell phones. prices range from 20 to 75$.
Flashlight- 9 times out of 10 your investigation will take place in the dark or with low visibility so flashlights are very important. there are several types of flashlights. getting something with low light thats bright enough for you and those around you but not so bright that it will bother people who pass by and bring attention to yourself. colored lenses or LED's such as BLUE and RED are perfect for being in places where you dont want to attract attention. prices range from 10$ up to 100$
First Aid Kit- You never know when someone might get hurt or stung. its good to know a little about medical aid. our group has several members who also work in the health area, and know CPR, and at least standard first aid. the most important thing is safety. prices are mixed with first aid kits because you can make your own. 10$ up to 60$ for a good kit.
Notebook- Taking notes and keeping a proper log of the investigation is very important, especially when reviewing evidence. cheap little ones that dont take up much space are great. 50 cents at walgreens =]
Extras-
*Batteries
*Film
*Pens
*Tapes for video cameras and voice recorders
A great place to find many of these items would be the Ghost Hunter Store. Click on the banner for more information!
Create a free website at Webs.com