Ghost Hunting Basics

Are there possibilities out there that are beyond our comprehension? Could there be ghosts among us and just out of our realm of understanding? Most ghost hunters think so and because they seek what seems to be impossible to find, may one day open up another plane of understanding some thought impossible.

A ghost hunter has to have the support of a good team as well as good equipment but there is one piece of the puzzle that has to be kept in impeccable shape to ensure success, that’s the equipment between your ears. A good ghost hunter has to rely on their own power of observation, good judgment and patience on every case to be able to succeed.

You will meet people who will want to try and “fake you out” for a good laugh at your expense, people who may need more professional help than yours and people who know they are being haunted just to find out that an appliance is malfunctioning, a board in the staircase is loose or the wind is playing tricks on them. A real ghost hunt is out there waiting for you, so be patient and stay the course, you will eventually be rewarded.

So what is the first thing you need to have for a successful ghost hunt? Help. You need to put together a small team, no more than 4 or 6 to help you investigate a location. There are several reasons why a team is needed on a case. You can cover more ground, be in more places at once and help get confirmation as to what you may see or hear. A team of enthusiastic people will give you support during the down times and people to celebrate with during the good times. If you cannot find people who share your enthusiasm for ghosts and the paranormal, try looking for clubs in your area.

If you are just starting out, there is some basic ghost hunting equipment you should have available. No, not the latest EMF meter or night vision scopes, not even motion sensors or thermometers. To get started all you will need is:

• 35mm Camera – You should test your cameras flash time to determine which film speed you will need. A minimum of 400 speed film works best. When developing the film it is important to tell whoever develops it to develop all the pictures no matter what. Some they would consider bad may end up being the best ones. A digital camera could also be used and works great to see if you got something in the shot instantly.

• Flashlight – I guess this needs little explanation but remember that spirit activity can drain batteries faster so always keep spare batteries with you.

• Notebook/Pencils – Write down everything no matter how trivial it may be. Later when your group gets back together you never know what you have observed and written down may be a piece of the total puzzle. Voice recorders are also popular just remember those batteries!

• First Aid – You will obviously be walking around in the dark. A basic kit could help clean up the inevitable cut or two.

That’s it. You’re ready to go on your first ghost hunt. Of course these are the very basic tools you need and we will be writing about more advanced ghost hunting equipment and how they work in future articles.

Related posts:

1. Conducting A Ghost Hunt
2. Starting a Ghost Hunting Club
3. The Ghost of the Old Stagecoach Inn
4. Ghost Hunting Equipment
5. Ghost Hunting: What NOT To Do