Ghost Hunting 101: The Basics

Throughout the years I’ve been asked how I got started in the paranormal field. Naturally as a teacher, leader, and author, I decided I would write a series of articles called “Ghost Hunting 101” to help those understand how I began my own personal journey. These are just a few tips and tricks not only which I used but these are from my mentors and from the mentors who taught them.

Where to begin:

While naturally; finding your way into, earning respect from, and all while learning as much as possible from the paranormal community can be quite intimidating. Trust me, we all had to start somewhere. Here are a few tips to make the newcomer, remind the seasoned investigator, or help the new team member get a crash course in ghost hunting.

• Contact your local team. Not only are paranormal investigators used to educating the public about paranormal phenomenon, they enjoy training new people in the field. Get active in any public events they are hosting and ask if there are any public cases you can attend.

• Read up on it. There are many great books on the topic of how to get started in the paranormal field as well as an array of websites and articles to educate you.

• Do your research. Whether it’s a local legend, myth, or town tragedy, it’s impossible not to find a place to investigate right in your very own back yard. Talk to your historian or the local elders. They are a wealth of knowledge and can help steer you in the right direction.

The Basics:

Here are a few of the basic rules and responsibilities of paranormal investigators and enthusiast. There are very important and need to be taken very seriously. Ignoring these, or your local team’s rules and regulations could result in injury, prison, or even worse…death.

• Never go alone. Of course there are many dangers to going alone such as abduction, getting hurt or getting lost. Always bring a friend with you when investigating and make sure to have a cell phone handy in case of emergency but the risk of going alone can be even more complex. It is good to go with someone you know well so they can keep your personality and emotions in check. Although rare, it has been reported for spirits to affect your mood, emotions, or even cause you physical harm.

• Never trespass. Not only can this possibly get you arrested and in legal trouble, it makes other paranormal teams look bad. Make sure to secure permission from the land or property owner and, if it’s in an outdoor space, you need to contact your local police station. It’s always a good idea to bring your I.D. to verify your identity if need be.

• Pack the proper equipment. Many items get overlooked when packing for an investigation. Make sure you make a detailed list and go over it thoroughly before leaving. A few things you should remember to bring are your cell phone, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit and plenty of snacks and water. Make sure to wear a proper outfit and pack warm clothing. Be aware that cell phones can effect equipment so I suggest putting your phone on silence and in airplane mode while investigating. Just remember, pulling out your cell phone while on a client investigation is never professional.

• Respect the rules. Not only do rules help establish a line of what is acceptable, it also makes investigations run smoothly. Never disrespect a person’s property and always obey the owner’s requests. Any person not obeying the rules and regulations should be escorted off the property and not allowed to participate in the investigation.

Basic equipment:

I get asked all the times at lectures, what are the most important piece(s) of equipment to have while on an investigation. All researchers will have a favorite but I will always stand by my answer on “myself”. Think about it…you know your body well, we have ears to hear, eyes to see, a nose to smell, and we usually can get a good feel for a place once we allow ourselves to calm down. While our body, mind, and feelings are a great start here are a few other great pieces of equipment to bring along.

• Pen and Paper. Ghost hunting is all about noticing subtle changes in your environment. Having a pen and paper around is a wonderful way to quickly jot down things the client claims, any changes within the environment around you, any personal experiences, and note anything in the area that can be mistaken for paranormal activity.

• Digital Camera. You don’t have to have the best camera, but a digital camera works the best. Along with the convenience of digital, they are easily uploaded to a computer for easier viewing.

• Digital Voice Recorder. Digital voice recorders are used to obtain to capture EVP’s or Electronic Voice Phenomenon. Again, this doesn’t have to be the most expensive model and works with software to hear and see the audio for better evidence.

Like I stated earlier, whether you are new to this, helping a new member, or a seasoned investigator, it is important to remember these basics. I truly hope this helps and please keep an eye out for my next article – Ghost Hunting 101: Dangers of Ghost Hunting.