The Ghost Hunt

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 walk through of the general area. Check out
every room, and in graveyards, walk around the tombstones in a 50-yard
radius. Videotape the walk through 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 walk through 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 walk through 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.

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
repellents. 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.

19. NEVER Forget to bring food and drinks: It may sound trivial, but you
would be surprised how many ghost-hunts have been ruined or have
been cut short because of the lack of snacks.

20. NEVER Go into any physically dangerous location: It may be
tempting to conduct ghost hunts in old condemned buildings or on the
edge of a spooky cliff side, but don't do it. The risk is simply not worth it.
Also, never go to any place when the weather conditions are bad. Ghost
hunts are meant to be fun and it won't be fun if someone gets hurt, has
to go to the hospital, or worse.

Ghost Hunting Nevers

The Hunt