Ghost Hunting: What NOT To Do

As a ghost hunter, I’ve made all the classic mistakes. I’ve driven four hours to a location only to realize my equipment was nice and safe back at home. I’ve taken hundreds of photos with the lens cap still on my camera. I’ve even gotten so lost on my way to a ghost hunt that the sun was already rising when I finally managed to arrive.

Sure, those are obvious mistakes, but there are many more less obvious mistakes that you can make in your ghost hunting. If you are already an experienced paranormal investigator or just someone with a budding curiosity, this article is must read for everyone. I’m sure you’ve read articles on what to do on a ghost hunt, but now, I am going to teach you what NOT to do.

• I will start with the single most important tool every ghost hunter or potential one already has – instinct. Do not ignore that voice inside you that tells you to stop, to walk left, to turn around, to take a picture, or to run away. Never ignore your instincts.
• Do not be afraid of what you may encounter. The fear of the unknown is one of the hardest to overcome. The vast majority of spirits cannot harm you. Most of them are trapped with unfinished business to attend to.
• Do not walk into an investigation with full belief that the location is haunted. Healthy skepticism is a state of mind every paranormal investigator should be familiar with.
• Do not threaten spirits or ask them to move something. You may wind up getting the wrong spirit angry. There have been reports of investigators being injured after provoking poltergeists.
• Do not whisper when you are recording EVPs. You may be tempted to keep your voice down so that it doesn’t appear on the audio. This is a huge mistake. When you talk, talk loudly and clearly so that upon review of the audio evidence you aren’t second guessing that whisper you pick up.
• Do not take your pictures in the direction of a light source. This can cause false positives to appear in your photos.
• Do not neglect to record equipment readings, experiences, and times as they happen. This evidence is very important to your ghost hunt and should be taken very seriously.
• Do not neglect to check your equipment before you set out on your investigation. Everything should be in proper working order before arrival.
• Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because everything is charged up with fresh batteries, that you won’t need extra ones. Paranormal hot spots are notorious for causing battery drainage.
• Do not wear anything with a strong odor. This may cause other investigators to sense phantom scents.
• Do not smoke during an investigation. Smoke can easily appear as an apparition under the right conditions. The same goes for breath during a cold investigation. When investigating during cold conditions, hold your breath during photographs.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages. This will impair your judgment and make it more likely that you injure yourself during the investigation.
• Do not go alone. In a strange place, alone in the dark, the unthinkable can happen. Even while hunting in groups, make sure to have a cell phone handy in case of emergency.
• Do not enter an investigation site for the first time at night without first investigating it during the daylight. There are some obstacles that cannot be seen under the cover of darkness. Knowing where they are can prevent injury to the investigators.
• Do not trespass on private property and do not litter. Both actions are illegal and give ghost hunters a bad name. Most of the time, a simple phone call to the property owner or to the local police is enough you need to get permission to access the property.
• Do not leave your ID at home. If in the event that the police are called, you will need to provide proof of who you are. Also, in the unfortunate event of an accident, an ID will be needed for medical personal to assist you.

I’ve made almost all of these mistakes, and many more, in my investigations. Learning how to ghost hunt is an ongoing process. Remember, on an investigation, safety is the most important factor. Always worry about yourself and your team before you worry about the ghosts. Investigating the paranormal is a truly enjoyable hobby and I wish you all the best in your future ghost hunts.

Related posts:

1. Conducting A Ghost Hunt
2. Ghost Hunting Basics
3. Starting a Ghost Hunting Club
4. Where are the Ghosts?
5. Ghost Hunting Equipment