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Thanks to popular paranormal reality TV shows like Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, and a host of others, popular interest in paranormal phenomena has dramatically increased over the past few years. Forming or joining ghost hunting groups has become more "trendy" than an actual scientific endeavor and the craving to investigate sometimes leads to individuals and groups putting themselves into precarious, even dangerous situations. Some of the new generation of ‘investigators’ are young and inexperienced and sometimes compromise their own safety in trying to imitate their television idols. The fact is, while most of these new ghost hunting shows are fun to watch - they aren’t accurately depicting the many potential dangers and safety issues that are involved in paranormal investigation.
At the time this article was written, a young woman in Toronto was killed when she fell from the beam of a building that she and a friend were investigating. The building was old and gothic-looking and was alleged to be the scene of a murder many years ago, but there were no reports of any paranormal activity there and the two placed themselves in potential peril trying to conduct their own search for spirits that may not even have existed there!
As more and more people around the world involve themselves in the paranormal investigation craze, we’re seeing a corresponding rise in reports of deaths, injuries and arrests because of careless investigative practices, most disturbingly with younger people looking for a thrill. Many disregard or simply do not take the time to read through the published articles and advice on safety one can find on many responsible groups' websites. General internet searches yield very little to provide adequate information regarding the dangers and safety precautions that should be considered when conducting paranormal investigations.
In the
interest of people's well-being and a more enjoyable,
successful experience, here are some things to keep in mind
when exploring in the dark for ghosts.
What is it you are trying to accomplish?
Understand that "ghost hunting" and "paranormal investigation" are two separate entities. Ghost hunting is a manufactured media term which centers around the search for places that may appear to contain paranormal activity. Paranormal investigation deals with responding to reported or documented cases of unusual phenomena. Driving around in your car randomly stopping at unchartered, creepy-looking locations to find ghosts is the primary cause of potential problems as you generally are walking into a place with no planning, research or scouting involved.
Never go alone
Probably the number one rule in investigation is to never go it alone. Whether indoors, outdoors, daytime, or night time, you should always investigate with at least one other person and work together. The "buddy system" is the best way to avoid physical and psychological damage while exploring potentially haunted areas. Having someone else with you allows you two sets of eyes to spot would-be dangers. If someone does get hurt, their companion can administer to them and/or seek assistance. There are many potential dangers involved in ghost hunting, and they drastically increase if you attempt to go it alone. It is also a good idea to let someone outside your group know where you are going and how long you plan to stay. From a strictly practical point of view, it also helps your investigation if one person can corroborate what the other sees or experiences and it makes your claims or evidence more credible.
Conduct Research
Before your group goes into any location to search for
paranormal activity, a full investigation of the location’s
history and current conditions should be conducted. As much
information as possible should be gathered about historical
data, prior ownerships, land records and current structural
conditions. You may also wish to talk to people who have
lived in the area for a while and have knowledge of the
place. Arrange for a daytime walk-through before conducting
your night time investigation so that you can become
familiar with your surroundings and its potential hazards.
In doing so, pay close attention to things like vandalism
and graffiti that may be present - it may tip you off that
somebody else might be lurking about after hours. Also, you
might check with the local police department to see if any
illegal or occult-type activities have been reported inside.
You do not want to be mistaken for anyone with sinister
intent or be trapped there with someone who could do you
potential harm. The living are to be feared more than the
dead in most cases. Overall, make sure you have discovered as
much about the property as possible before entering.
Use the Proper Equipment
Besides the usual technical equipment involved on
investigations, you should also be prepared with other tools
to help you stay safe. Most obvious is a flash light.
Because most paranormal investigative work is done in the
dark, no investigator should ever be without a functioning
flashlight. Having a light source will not only help you
navigate through dark areas safely but it will also help you
feel safer if the psychology of being in a haunted place
starts to play with your mind. Any smart investigator will
also carry a functioning ‘walkie talkie’ with them so that
they can be in constant contact with other team members. Some other pieces of equipment that
you should include in your arsenal are a first-aid kit to
treat any minor injuries, a working cell phone, bug spray to keep the mosquitoes away, and face
masks to prevent breathing in dangerous particles like dust,
asbestos, and fiberglass. If you, or anyone in your party
has an existing health condition for which medication in
some form is required, don't forget to bring it along with
you. For outdoor investigations, a
compass is always a great tool to have in your possession.
Note: We know cell phone signals can interfere with a great
number of ghost-hunting "tools". Switching them off during a
session is strongly urged, but at least have one in your
possession if possible.
Wear
Proper Clothing
Wearing the proper clothing is also a very important
consideration. Make sure you are dressed for the existing conditions
you may encounter. Starting with your feet, you should be
sure to wear some strong and sturdy closed shoes that will
protect your feet from sharp objects, nails, glass,
splinters, etc. A good pair of shoes will also make a big
difference in balance and stability when walking through
uneven terrain. Long pants, long sleeves, and clothes that
cover your body are also important to protect yourself
against colder elements. The prime consideration in all this
is, obviously,
weather conditions. You never know how the weather may turn while out on an investigation. Most often you will
find yourself investigating at night when it is always
colder and you’ll likely be in places that are damp, dusty,
and dirty. Long clothes will also lessen your possibilities
of being bitten by bugs and other critters that like to hide
in these places. You’ll also be less exposed to things like
poison ivy when investigating outdoors.
Just Say No
Absolutely no drugs or alcohol should be used by an
investigator before or during an investigation. There are
already enough dangers to concern yourself with while
investigating. Being impaired by drinking or doing drugs
will only heighten these dangers. You place yourself and
those around you at higher risk by being inebriated or
impaired
during an investigation. This is serious business. And
regardless of what some recreational users might tell you, you will
not have any better chance of contacting the dead by being
high. You may however, have a better chance of joining them.
Take
What You Are Doing Seriously
Investigations should be taken seriously. Have respect for
the property you are investigating and for those around you.
Vandalism and pranks are only going to give the field of
paranormal investigation a bad name and make it harder for
serious investigators to be granted access. Pulling
pranks on other team members is a sure way of getting
someone hurt, too. Paranormal investigating has elements of
fun and excitement, but should be approached as a systematic study that should be respected and conducted
properly. There are long stretches where no visible or
audible activity is found - it is during those times where
your dedication and focus are tested. Taking out
frustrations on private or public property is the sign of
very weak character.
Fear And Respect The Living
As stated earlier, many investigators will tell you they
fear the living more than the dead. So be sure
you have proper permission before entering a location. We all know
access is hard to come by sometimes and it gets frustrating
to be turned down so often. That still is no reason to act
irresponsibly and subject yourself to physical danger or
arrest. Nothing hampers or trivializes the paranormal field
more than investigators spending the night in jail. Any
location that is considered private property (including
cemeteries and abandoned buildings) should be treated as
such and never accessed without valid permission. Know what
the town ordinances are and what time public areas close.
You will be subject to whatever penalties come with
trespassing in that town. Always explain exactly what you
hope to accomplish in a location and how you will go about
it. Don't stray from that plan or from the area in which you
have been granted permission to investigate. In doing so you
may be putting yourself at risk from any unknowing residents,
security, or police officers who become aware your presence and consider you
an intruder. Even if you
do
have permission to enter a certain property,
you should notify the local police so they will not become
suspicious of the flashlights and activity there during the
middle of the night. Provide the license plate numbers of
all vehicles that will be parked in the location and if at
all possible get
written permission from the owner you can produce upon
request.
Always carry valid ID with you and make a point to thank
whoever is responsible for allowing you access, including
the police. It might pay off down the line.
Trust Your Instincts
If you have a strong sense that something is wrong or that you
shouldn’t be doing something, don’t do it! Trust your
instincts in every situation when investigating the
paranormal. Be sure that your group sets up a central
command area and a safe zone where you can all meet
regularly to clear your heads, take a head count and regroup. If at any point
during an investigation you become a bit overwhelmed or
frightened, you
should - as calmly as possible - head to your safe zone and
regroup with others. Fear clouds the mind and forces you
into bad decisions. If you feel the presence of danger, be
it physical or spiritual, don’t proceed. There is no reward
for being brave when investigating under less-than-ideal
conditions. You will,
on occasion, encounter places and situations that
will test your resolve and you must approach them
with extreme caution and take some time to gather your
thoughts rather than head straight into potential danger.
When these situations happen, no one should be mocked for a lack of
courage or subjected to peer pressures, but instead
supported and respected for their concerns.
In conclusion, paranormal investigation can be an exciting and rewarding experience. But you’ll quickly find that it’s nothing like the reality shows represent. Much of your time will be spent doing mind-numbing (but vital) research and setting up or breaking down equipment. During most investigations it's very rare that you will experience anything that is truly paranormal. Most of the time you’ll spend many hours on a Saturday night staring at equipment hoping to see something with no results. It's a bit deceiving from watching the television shows, but in reality paranormal activity is very uncommon and quite unpredictable. These shows have skillfully edited out most - if not all - of the unexciting activity and are usually filming in places that have been deemed highly active to begin with. So keep all this in mind when deciding whether or not to go into dark places looking for ghosts. Use common sense, put your own safety and that of your group first and remember - true paranormal investigation isn’t a passing fad, it’s a long-term commitment that requires safety precautions and sound planning.