Ghost Hunting Gudelines

While Ghost Hunting and/or Legend Tripping, you can look to these as some basic guidelines and tips to keep in mind before and during your investigation, but these are not official and we do not take responsibility for the actions of independent groups and/or societies, the individuals, or any members of their team before, during, or after their investigation and/or trip. Never use television as a guideline for information or experience regarding paranormal investigation.

Guidelines:
- Always let someone outside of your group know where you are.
- Do not go anywhere alone. Always stay in groups.
- Do not trespass. Always get permission to get on the property and conduct audio/visual research. If the owners of the property or the Cops ask you to leave or for information, cooperate.
- Always carry your ID on you.
- Be smart and use your common sense.
- If you feel uncomfortable, pay attention. When in doubt, get the hell out.
- Keep an eye on weather reports for extreme weather and reschedule if necessary. Also keep an eye on the humidity and pollen count.
- Keep in contact with each other at all times via either walkie-talkies or cellular telephones. If you do opt to use phones, be sure that all areas you intend to investigate supplies good signals.
- Keep a flashlight on you at all times.
- Wear suitable footwear.
- Do not drink or smoke before or during an investigation. Do not arrive hungry, but do not arrive in a turkey coma either. You need to be fully alert, and smoking can create false readings of various phenomena such as fog/ ectoplasm mist.
- Do a walk-over of the site during daylight to familiarize yourself with the area and will help avoid injury in the dark.

- If you are accompanying another group outside of your own, it is polite to provide reimbursement for their time and expenses. However, though most groups will accept donations, groups who charge you to participate are to be regarded with extreme skepticism. Discuss the group's guidelines and be sure that everyone agrees to abide by them before proceeding to an investigation. Cooperation is key. Individuals not willing to abide by agreed standards and guidelines should reconsider their participation in any investigation.

Tips:
- Don't smoke anywhere near the investigation area.
- When taking pictures: keep lenses clean, take straps off of cameras, keep tabs where your fingers are, hold your breath (to avoid false fog/ectoplasm mist), use an empty memory card or new film.
- When taking EVP: talk clearly and do not whisper, pause between comments when possible, when necessary provocation may be used.
- Avoid jackets with strings and toggles.
- Keep a watch and note the time.
- Know when to get out. As mentioned above: when in doubt, get the hell out.
- Keep an eye out for cobwebs, dust, and other natural phenomena that could easily be mistaken as paranormal phenomena.
- Do not wear perfume or cologne. This will hinder your sense of smell and you want your senses clear.
- Try to debunk observed phenomena on-site when possible. It is imperative that you remain objective and logical when conducting an investigation.
- We at paranormalUnknown do not condone the use of Ouija boards, seances, and other modes of contacting the dead outside of basic contact.
...and above all... RESPECT THE DEAD.