Ghost Hunting For Beginners
Suggestions and Advice For Beginners
So you have decided to become a paranormal investigator, you have a camera and a recorder and know a location thats possibly haunted thats it right? Wrong, there is a lot involved in becoming a paranormal investigator that requires patience, paperwork, research and common sense. In this section we at Paranormal Investigations of Staten Island will discuss some etiquette and protocols that enable you to better present yourself and better represent the rest of us out there trying to bring respect and professionalism to this field.
Having a fleeting interest and a camera does not make you a "Professional" paranormal investigator, there is a lot of filler that needs to also be present in order to educate yourself and not fall into common traps. First off you must decide if you either (A) want to start your own group (not recommended if you have no experience at all) or (B) want to join a group that exists (recommended for the inexperienced beginner). Most existing groups are more than willing to take on a dedicated beginner and train them with valuable skills that will help you grow into a paranormal investigator.
Option "A", though not recommended for the complete beginner, requires a lot of hard work. There is a lot to consider such as, non-profit organizational status, equipment (this isn't a cheap field), acquiring permission to investigate a location, adding other investigators and determining their trustworthiness, etc. A name is the least of your worries but should be simple and down to the point. With all fields and jobs there is just some stuff that comes with experience (Ie. Analysis skills), something you may also want to consider before starting your own group.
Remember that everything you do in this field reflects not only on you but on every other paranormal investigation group in the country. Too much pressure? If you answer yes then consider joining a group before venturing out into the field on your own. If your answer is no then good luck to you and make us all proud.
So now what do you do, just take pictures and recordings right? Wrong, before you go running about and snapping pictures and taking audio recordings in random places consider the local laws of your state or any other state you consider doing this in. Most states have Trespassing laws and privacy laws right, Remember to obey these laws and get permission before you do anything below you will find a list of some suggested procedures you might want to consider before jumping head first into the water without knowing how deep it is.
Suggested Etiquette and Protocol For Investigation Groups
- ALWAYS get permission to investigate a location, trespassing is illegal and as such will bring great discredit to you and your group as well as other Paranormal Groups. Make sure you have a signed permission form from the client for your records.
- If you know another group is in your area and you want an investigation, Please try to call the other group first so as to make sure they are not trying to book the same location at the same time. This will alleviate the feeling of competition between the groups and will also ensure the location wont be closed to any or all future investigation groups.
- Remember safety first, always make arrangements to see a location prior to the investigation date. This allows you to not only note possible safety hazards but also meet the client and build a plan for your equipment set up.
- No drugs and or alcohol should be consumed before or during an investigation as their effects could cause hallucinations or feelings that may not have taken place. No smoking on the site either, there should be a designated area away from the investigation to smoke cigarettes.
- No weapons of any kind, There is no effective way of harming a ghost. Sounds like common sense but has to be stated. No guns, knives, swords, slingshots, etc... they will only harm you or one of your companions.
- Watch you environments carefully; make sure you keep in mind light sources, temperatures and surrounding noises. These things can contaminate evidence and make it unusable.
- Try to keep a first aid kit with your team at all times as well as all members of the team should carry their own flashlights for obvious reasons. A cell phone is an excellent addition to the kit though it should be kept off or on vibrate (preferably off) during the investigation.
- For beginners in this field all the equipment you will need to get started is: A Digital camera and/ or 35mm and a digital voice recorder (preferably with a 7 hour maximum record time). EMF meters, thermometers, thermal cameras, Video Cameras, etc... come much later and generally cost a lot.
- Research is key to a professional investigation, study the field a lot learn the terminology, the theories, the procedures and the practice behind an investigation. Knowledge is power so the more you know the more professional you sound and the more professional you sound the more investigations you will get to do.
- Record everything you do in a log, this can be done simply by carrying and jotting notes in a small note pad. this helps later during the analysis when knowing what happened at a certain time could mean the difference between actual evidence or evidence that is unusable.
- When taking EVP recordings speak in a normal or slightly lower voice do not yell or whisper as both could render the recording useless.
- The most recommended idea is to tag along with an existing group a few times to get an idea as to how an investigation is preformed. Remember while along with another group the investigation is theirs and as their guest you are subject to their rules and regulations.
This is of course a small list compiled of the "bare essentials" to forming your own group. This list is in no way a complete list as their is so much more that comes with experience and time but rather it gives a point in the right direction to a fun and interesting experience. It should be noted in this section that this field is a "not for profit" field.
Most of the groups out there do not charge any money for their services. It is NOT a field in which you are going to make money, rather you are going to find that you are in fact spending a lot of money doing this. Consider this first before making a quick and uneducated decision to hop into this field for money.
However this can be a great experience for those who are dedicated enough to do it free, like us at PISI. If you still want to do this consider everyone in your group including yourself to have a good steady day job so you could all pitch in to buy the future more expensive equipment or even cool jackets and shirts with your groups name on it. Whatever your decision is please remember that you not only represent yourselves but you represent all of the paranormal investigators in the country too so do it right, play it smart and make us all proud.
For more information on how to become an investigator/ investigation group please contact any of us via email found on this site in the members page.
The PISI Team