There are many gadgets & gizmo's available these days for the intrepid ghost-hunter or paranormal group. It has become quite confusing to choose the correct equiment for your needs...There are several specialist paranormal equipment dealers throughout the UK. Some of them them advertise on Ebay and as you can imagine, there is the occasional bargain to be had. I personally have very little "Hands-On" experience of ghost hunting equipment and I would recommend that you contact several of the specialist dealers to discuss your needs before you part with your hard-earned cash.

There is no benefit in purchasing quality equipment if you are unable to use it correctly or you do not follow good procedural practices when you are at your chosen ghost hunting or haunted location...procedures are a bore! but they are also important if you wish to document your paranormal experiences and share them with the paranormal community. Again, my personal experiences are particulary poor...but I have researched the internet in an attempt to find some common quidelines that may be of interest. I will also attempt to contact a couple of helpful specialist suppliers and add them to the website at a later date.

What equipment do I really Need?

The equipment required depends on several factors, firstly theysize of the group and it's budget, the experience of the team...you may have specialist members trained in sound or video engineering which may warrant a hefty investment in sound/video analysis equipment. Or you may have a particularly large paranormal group that would benefit from a substantial investment in "walkie-talkie" equipment. No two groups are the same...and this was evident when I looked at several UK & USA paranormal group's equipment.

As "The Haunted Attic" is primarily aimed at newcomers to the subject ...I thought it sensible to look at the "Basics".

At the most basic level, it seems that all you really need is a few torches, a couple of cameras and for those of us with a nervous disposition...a spare pair of underwear may prove beneficial! You do not need to invest much money to get yourself started... but be aware that the more evidence of ghosts, hauntings and paranormal activity you can record, the more seriously your club or group will be taken. Below is listed some suggestions for basic equipment (I have included a few luxury items if your budget will allow)

	Torch, Notepad & Pen It may sound obvious...but torches are absolutely essential Health and Safety items when you are "fumbling about" in the dark...don't forget the spare batteries as paranormal activity is reported to have an adverse effect on battery life. Every member should be armed with a torch. There's no substitute for accurate notes...take detailed notes recording dates, times, weather conditions & any other feelings you may have whilst on site...you will be surprised how valuable your scribbles can be. (And you dont need a spare battery!)
	Mobile Phones: A neccessary "evil"...a distracting item, but a sensible thing to bring along in case of an emergency situation arising ...some of the quality phones also double up as cameras & video's these days.
	Cameras & Camcorders Bring along a few digital camera's to take photographic evidence...anything above 3MP is ok. Bring along a spare battery if you can. If you can afford the developnent costs, you can always bring along a 35mm "analogue" film camera to help verify digital photographs. Camcorders are quite common these days, prices have dropped dramatically and many group members will probably agree to bring their's along. Most have a night vision mode with light enhancement infa-red recording facilities. A tripod is also handy if you have one but it's not essential.
	Protection from the weather (and the Spirit world) Use some common sense!...remember you are out at night and dress appropriately. It can become very cold during the early hours of the morning...especially during the winter months. Most of the experienced / established paranormal groups warn of the importance of having a trained "Medium" within the group, to provide psychic protection in the event of contact with hostile entities, spirits, ghosts etc. All new paranormal groups should bear this in mind.
	Electromagnetic Field Strength Meter: It is generally accepted that ghost manifestations cause a disturbance in the normal electro-magnetic field...many manufacuters have developed meters to detect such disturbances. They vary greatly in quality & price. (I have a £10 Ebay cheapie)   Thermal Imaging Camera: Designed for locating Trapped Persons, Military Targets, and "Hot-Spots" in electrical distribution systems...the thermal imaging camera traces hot or cold spots in any location ... Costing several thousand pounds...if your club has one of these...then you have "Arrived"!
	And Don't forget these optional items! Which can always double-up as a cosy hat in colder weather!

Ghost Hunting Procedures:

Below are listed a few simple procedures which should help to make your paranormal investigations run safely & smoothly.

Seek permission from the property / land owner several days or weeks in advance of your planned ghost hunting visit. This will avoid unpleasant confrontations or visits from the police.

Arrive on site early, this will allow you plenty of time to set up your ghost hunting equipment properly and deal with any problematic equipment.

If you intend to use cameras, camcorders, EMF meters & Infa-red beam detectors it is prudent to give all the equipment a test-run at site well before your paranormal investigation begins. Have your spare batteries at the ready and your torches with you.

You will need to be methodical and patient at all times.

Begin by selecting a suitable room for use as a "Main Base". This area will be where all monitoring should be done and it should not be an area of high paranormal activity. After the base has been selected, do a complete walk-through of the entire site. Check all rooms and areas and note any dangerous locations and keep well clear when the investigation begins. It is always helpful to video the walk-through if you have a camcorder.

During your initial walk-through (or at any other time) ensure that you do not touch or move objects...it is important that you leave the natural environment "untouched".

Be sure that all members know the layout before you begin the ghost hunt. The ghost hunt will be far more successful if everyone feels comfortable and safe with the surroundings.

If there are any objects that have been reported to move such as; chairs, pictures, ornaments etc...it is a good idea to mark their exact positions with chalk-lines or tape on the floor...these objects are often referred to as "trigger" objects and if they move, you will be able to judge or measure the degree of movement. It is always a good idea to video these particular items for a length of time...if they do move, you will have some excellent evidence of the paranormal. You may also wish to set up infa-red detector beams in the vicinity of these items.

Use EMF detectors to search for anything out of the ordinary. If you do pick up an EMF anomaly or if you feel that there is an unearthly presence nearby take some photos. Remember that glass objects and mirrors will reflect light inside houses.

Everyone participating in the investigation should always know where the others are... that way there isn't any confusion or misinterpretations. Larger clubs will no doubt use "walkie-talkies" or other radio communications to help with their investigations.

Always remember to log every event that seems out of the ordinary, doors that lock, electrical problems, chandeliers swaying, strange lights, etc. Videotape & photograph everything for proof...and don't forget to take notes in you notebook.

Some groups attach glow-in-the-dark or reflective tape to objects to help them with the layout or to mark special areas. They will be far easier to see in the dark with the tape on them.

It is not always necessary to turn off all the lights inside the "haunted house" to have ghosts appear. You should always leave some lighting on for your own personal safety. Always have your torches at hand in case of an emergency.

Don't be afraid to experiment on ghost hunts. Ask the ghosts to appear. Let it know what you are doing. Ask it's permission to take photo's. Be friendly and firm at the same time. Try different settings with you camcorders and cameras...you can even try playing religious music or reciting prayers or passages from the bible.

On any paranormal investigation make sure you have packed plenty of snacks, drinks and warm clothing . Ghost hunts can be long and tedious. You may have to spend several weeks inside at a haunted location before you encounter anything strange. Be patient... and enjoy the experience!

 

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