The Brave Mortal's Guide to Ghost Hunting

by Alex Matsuo

  Prepare Ahead of Time

  At APS, we will usually try to get a hold of the location's floor plan or fire map so that we can see the layout of the place. I will also speak to the owner about what the electricity situation is like, sleeping accommodations, pests like bugs and rodents, whether the location is locked all night, the bathroom situation, and if there are places for people to catch a quick nap during the night. I'll also check to make sure we're allowed to have food on the property, or if we need to go off-site and eat. These are the minor things that I forget the most. So, don't be like me and need to travel to the local convenience store every two hours to go to the bathroom. (Yes, that really happened.)

  Having the floor plan ahead of time will also help you plan where you're going to set up your equipment. Once you get to the site, you'll want to have cameras and microphones set up in places where paranormal activity has been reported.

  I recommend an initial walk-through of the area to ensure your safety from a medical and personal perspective, then you can really get started.

  Your first step will be to get your baseline readings. Why is this step important? You want to know how the location sits, feels, and functions before you start any sort of ghost hunt. Part of ghost hunting is experiencing changes in the environment. You want something to compare your experiences and findings with and see if perhaps there may be something otherworldly.

  Don't Trespass

  One of the more common reasons you'll find ghost hunters making headlines is because they were arrested for trespassing. Obtaining permission to be on the premises is important. You'd be surprised how many ghost hunters disregard basic trespassing laws, especially if the location is abandoned. But keep in mind that abandoned is not the same as being free-range for investigation. You never know who may own the building. The owner may not give their attention to that particular spot, but they will definitely notice if someone is trespassing, and they could very well press charges if you're caught.

  This is where the Internet will be your best friend as you sleuth. As you research, you might be able to find who the owner of the place is and contact them. While this will take some work, it is well worth it. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where you're stopped by the police for trespassing. In these situations, the best-case scenario is that you're let off with a warning. The worst-case scenario means that you're arrested, and your mugshot is made public. It's not worth the risk, especially when there are plenty of locations that welcome ghost hunters and enjoy the publicity.

  Baseline Readings

  Baseline readings include, but not limited to,

  Checking EMF output from electronics

  Temperatures

  Identifying air vents

  Assessing the external environment like cars driving by

  Taking in the noise of the space

  Walking around and checking for loose floorboards

  Taking note of anything that might be mistaken for paranormal activity.

  Since most of us are on limited time in these haunted locations, we don't want to waste potential interaction time by trying to communicate with a cold spot that ends up being nothing more than the air conditioner. For example, if you keep hearing footsteps behind you every time you walk down the hall when at the moment in the midst of emotions, you might have forgotten to check to see if the floorboards already made that noise.

  I have seen other teams go public with their evidence as proof of paranormal activity, only to be debunked a short time later when another team finds out that the phenomenon was just a part of the location. When this happens, all you can do is admit the mistake and learn from the experience. I've found that when teams try to cover up their tracks by defending the data even though it was debunked, it only hurts their reputation more. We're all still learning in this field and admitting a simple mistake will actually help save face more than digging your heels into the ground.

  Baseline readings can take time, depending on the number of people you have and the kind of equipment you have in your arsenal. Sometimes, you may not even have a chance to take in these readings depending on your situation. Regardless of where I am, I try to bring a notebook with me and record any points of interest I see. Most ghost hunts will start off with a tour of the location, so you know how to find certain rooms, location of the bathroom, exits, and experiences that have happened in each location. Taking notes during the tour will help you remember what areas to revisit after the tour.

  I love to take baseline readings because then I can keep an eye on the data and watch it fluctuate and change. From there, I don't immediately assume that changes indicate paranormal phenomenon. I check around to see what other things could have caused the fluctuation before I even consider something anomalous as the explanation. Even after all that, I am still hesitant to call any of my data clear evidence of the paranormal.

  Here are some points to hit when you take your baseline readings.

  You will want to do is take the temperature of the place. This is best done with a temperature gun. Take note of where all the vents are and check the thermostat to see at what temperature the heater or air conditioning will kick on.

  Take notes on anything you see that could be mistaken as paranormal. This means squeaky floorboards, branches on the roof, vermin, or bugs hitting lighting fixtures and the wall.

  Look for all of the outlets, live wires, essentially anything that may cause an EMF or K2 meter to go off. Test to see what makes your equipment go off. This includes phones, any other electronics you have. Make note of the triggers in your equipment.

  Make a note of the environmental noise. What is around the location? Rarely are haunted spots in a field in the middle of nowhere. For example, the Jennie Wade House sits right up against the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg, and it's right in the middle of the action of the town. This means there can be a lot of noise.

  You'll also want to make note of any light that is coming from the environment. If there are cars that are regularly driving by, they can cause lights to shine through windows that may not look normal. They can also create sounds that sound weird if you're not familiar with cars.

  Speaking of audio, tag every sound that comes from you or someone around you. If you hear growling in your data review, you'll want to know immediately if it's a demon or someone's stomach. Even if a cough seems trivial to tag, you'll forget about it by the time you do your data review. While this is a practice that extends beyond baseline readings, it's good to start this habit now as you're working.

  One of the most important things you can do is take baseline readings of the people around you, especially their voices. You don't have to go to every person to have them speak into your audio recorder. The easiest and most subtle way to do this is to have everyone say their name as they introduce themselves to the ghosts at the beginning of the ghost hunt. That way, you have a recording of what everyone sounds like during the investigation and you won't have to deal with the disappointment of false positives in case someone likes to whisper.

  Tech Setup

  After you've done your baseline readings, you'll want to set up your audio and video equipment. I tend to set up video first since that takes the most time. If you have a surveillance system, or even a camera sitting on a sturdy surface or a tripod, you'll want to make sure that there is enough power to last the ghost hunt. Even better, have it plugged into a power source. I highly suggest using tape to secure the cords on the floor so that people aren't tripping. Tape comes in different forms, so make sure you're not using something that could take the paint off the walls or damage the flooring. Painter's tape is used most often by APS.

  Once the video set up is complete, then I gather up the audio devices and position them appropriately. I like to put cheap sponges underneath any recorders that are sitting on a table or some sort of hard surface. We do this so that the shock is absorbed should someone run into the furniture or tap their fingers on the surface.

  Disbursement & Comm
unication

  If you're ghost hunting with a team, then you have to decide where you want to start. If there are different occurrences rumored to start at certain times, then you will want to schedule yourself to be sitting in that spot. If someone tells me that a dark shadow runs down the hall every night at 3:00 am, then you'll find me in the hallway at 3:00 am with my equipment ready to record that experience.

  If you have a larger team, then you'll most likely split up. When doing so, either you or whoever is running the investigation will position people based on distance and sound barriers so you're not tainting each other.

  Having walkie-talkies on hand was exceptionally helpful during larger ghost hunts. If I knew there were other people around the building, I could check in with them without having to move. For example, if I heard footsteps above me, I would check in with that group and make sure that they're not moving. I can also alert whoever is watching the video from base camp and have them confirm with me whether or not someone was moving during that timestamp. I like to use a headset with the walkie-talkie so that the rest of my group isn't getting distracted from hearing both sides of the conversation.

  While planning ahead of time is important, it doesn't hurt to include room for flexibility. If there's a group that is having an engaging interaction with someone or something paranormal, it might be worth it to adjust your plan and let them continue for a little while longer. If you end the session prematurely, it's not a guarantee that the presence will interact with the next group. When this happens, an opportunity is lost.

  Check-In

  Most importantly, before you start your ghost hunt, check-in with yourself and those around you. If you are, or someone in the group is, nervous about the ghost hunt, then saying a short prayer, meditation, affirmation, or just positive vibes for protection doesn't hurt. You can think of it as a grounding and shielding session before you get into the nitty-gritty of ghost hunting.

  Throughout the investigation, occasional check-ins with everyone helps create a team-based experience for everyone and adds a layer of paranormal protection. You'll want to know how the group is doing throughout the investigation. Self-care for yourself is important as well, especially if you're the one in charge.

  Alcohol & Other Things

  On ghost tours, it's typical to see people consuming alcohol. On paranormal investigations with the intention of making communication and researching, you will want to keep the alcohol at home. We all know that it impairs our judgment, loosens us up, and can inhibit our ability to make substantial communication. One can argue that booze can relax you so you can be more open to experiences. However, I would argue that there are healthier things you can do to get in a more relaxed mindset that can also be better controlled than alcohol or other drugs. In an upsetting encounter, you will want to have complete control about pulling yourself out of it and using alcohol can interfere when you most need to have your wits about you.

  If you're a smoker, you're likely able to smoke somewhere on-site that's safe. Tobacco usually is no issue. But if you’re at a historical location that is hundreds of years old, ask where you can smoke. Flames and historical buildings don’t mix.

  There are people who will get high and smoke marijuana on site. There are folks who have been caught smoking inside a building and there have been consequences to those actions. One of the most famous incidents was in 2013 when the LeBeau Plantation in Louisiana burned down to the ground. Seven men between the ages of 17 and 31 were ghost hunting while consuming alcohol and smoking pot. They were trying to summon ghosts while beating on the floor when the room they were in caught on fire. The plantation was the largest pre-Civil War plantation still left in the area, which was near New Orleans. The building went through various stages of decay and it became a place where homeless people often sought shelter and a place to take illicit substances. With an old building like this, it became known for its haunted legends and lore. But, one mistake caused the destruction of history.

  Investigating Outdoors

  But what happens if you're investigating an outdoor location? You can use all the extension cords in the world, but your best bet is going to be using batteries. Be sure to pack extras of all the types of batteries you need and check the charges before you leave. Even if you're investigating indoors, having extra batteries on hand is critical.

  Several factors are unique to ghost hunts involving the great outdoors, and you'll need to take a few extra steps to ensure your investigation is fully productive. As mentioned in chapters seven and eight when talking about safety, you'll want to check the area for anything that could be a trip hazard. You'll also need to look for signs of wildlife as well as bugs that could bite or sting you. Also, look for signs of poisonous plants like ivy and oak. You'll want to keep a first aid kit on hand just in case anyone needs medical attention. You'll also want to consider noise in the area like animals, traffic, people, and anything caused by nature. With all of these variables to consider, why would any ghost hunter want to investigate outdoors?

  Sometimes, you will hear of places where you'll want to try to make contact with spirits that have nothing to do with a house or some sort of building. In places like Gettysburg, PA, you'll want to take advantage of any time you can explore the battlefield. Keep in mind that state and national parks generally have strict visiting hours, and the rules of these areas are usually enforced by police. Most of these parks are also very conscious of paranormal investigators trying to come onto the property at night time. If you want a guarantee of getting a-talkin' to from a government official, this is how you get that. Some groups have tips and tricks to investigate National Parks after hours, but to me, it's not worth the risk. On the other hand, maintaining good relationships with park officials means you can access these public places when they are open, and often have a great experience.

  Whether you're trying to investigate a Civil War battlefield or a famous bridge that was the site where hundreds of lives were lost, here are some ways you can do this and walk away feeling accomplished.

  Take baseline readings of the noise levels, temperature, and weather.

  When you decide to sit down and do your EVP session, try to sit as quietly as possible.

  Tag any movement you or your team members make, as well as noise from other people, animals, cars, etc.

  Verbally talk about any feelings you have throughout the investigation like physical illnesses, emotional changes, and more.

  If you feel like you're getting a response from some anomaly, continue the conversation and try to engage with questions and validation of thoughts and feelings.

  Stay cautious and aware of any strange things happening around you.

  CHAPTER eleven: Provocation

  When you're trying to engage with someone, and they don't respond, what do you do? If you're in a fight with someone, and you're trying to get a reaction, what do you do? In our normal, human interaction, we tend to say or do things to get a reaction out of people. I would say internet trolls are the perfect example of the extreme side of this. Provoking can be something we see in our daily lives depending on our relationships with other people. As you think about this topic, reflect on whether provocation has ever been a positive experience for you.

  Provocation is one of the most controversial subjects in the paranormal. Yet, provoking a ghost is something all ghost hunters do one way or another. Before any feelings are hurt, we need to define what provocation means. In the world of ghost hunting, provocation happens to elicit a response. Sometimes it will mean resorting to annoying or making the ghost angry, which can make for exciting footage. But what is the cost of this? If you're provoking during a residential case, you have the benefit of going home and not having to deal with the consequences of your actions. But the people who asked you for help will have to deal with the backlash from the spirit if there is any. In general, I'm not an advocate for provoking because it's rude. I also see it as a display of power and the need to get the ghost to be subm
issive and react on command.

  The topic of provocation often results in heated debates. This is a subject that gained popularity with television shows because the results are dramatic and can make for good television. Provocation not only makes for drama, but it can also invoke an aggressive response from a ghost if the conditions are right. It also gives more for studios to work with when it comes to a storyline, and it will keep people from switching the channel. But, for people who are not on television and are working in the field without the benefits of studio backing, provocation is quite risky.

  I'm not a fan of provoking. I feel that if you have to resort to provocation in order to get a response from a ghost, maybe you should revisit your investigation methods as well as your communication skills. Given what I’ve said about treating spirits as humans, you will not be surprised when I tell you that I use how people provoke spirits as a gauge of how they communicate in the living world. I am often curious about how spirit provokers interact with wait staff or even their closest friends.

  Provocation comes in different levels. You might have experienced some of them in your normal life. People will provoke each other to get a rise out of them. This also counts gaslighting and other things that will put a person in the corner and make them react negatively.

  Just as most people seek positive encounters among the living, ghosts strive for positive encounters in the afterlife. Being deceased doesn't mean that the person is no longer excluded from having a positive and humane communication experience. This means we also have to respect when they don't want to talk to us. Paying $100 to investigate a haunted place doesn't promise a ghostly experience. Ghosts aren't there to perform. Just as we buy a ticket to the zoo, we aren't guaranteed that the lions will be coming out. If you want the promise of a production, I suggest supporting your local theatre community.