Ghost Hunter's Toolbox --- (Transfered)
May 17, 2017 13:05:39 GMT -5
Post by Tammy R on May 17, 2017 13:05:39 GMT -5
These are the basics you should have.
* First aid kit, even if you've scouted your area out. Once its dark its easy to trip and get cut ect.
* Flashlights & spare batteries, this is just common sense you need a light source and batteries go dead. If possible also have a red lensed light these help reduce glare and also help with night vision.
* Glow Sticks are also great for giving off light in case other light sources aren't working. Most sporting good stores sell them in bulks of 3 (lrg. sticks) for around $6.00. And they work well in emergencies.
* Watch, this helps you keep proper records of times and also lets you know if anything occurs how long it lasted.
* Cell phone, you never know when you may need this and it's better to have along incase of emergencies.
* Hand Held Radios (2 way) or Walkie Talkies are very useful in a large outdoor area and a building with groups spread out in various rooms. They could be great in emergency situations or just to rotate groups. Be sure to be aware they could interfere with your EVP recording though.
* Tablets/ Pens, these will help with noting events on your investigation. If one person gets a high EMF reading and another gets a photo in the same area then notes are available to compare with.
* Compass, these work simular to EMF meters and are alot more cost effective for new teams just starting out. The belief is that if the needle is spinning erractically or is unable to come to a precise heading there is spirit activty.
* Tape recorder & NEW high quality tapes, you can use these instead of the tablets and pens so long as you keep notes. Also they come in handy for your interviews of witnesses on investigations. (high bias or metal tapes are the best choices for recording)
* Digital Voice Recorders, are another option although it's recomended that you shut off the automatic voice record prior to attempting to capture EVP's. Also with either type of recorder you will want an external microphone so that your recordings are clear and you aren't capturing the sounds of the internal gears (especially on manual recorders that use tapes)
* Camera/s, you can use either type of camera for your investigation and there are benefits to both. However if you chose to use a 35 mm then you want your film speed to be at least 400. Always remember to take double shots of everything and when having your film developed tell them you want ALL of your pictures developed. (they may think its a bad photos, and alot of the "bad" pictures are usually your best) The advantage of digital cameras is that most have the ability to take photos in limited light and also have on screen displays. You can see right away if you have a capture. However if your using a digital if it has night settings be sure to set them, and as with 35 mm always take double shots of everything.
* Jackets or weather appropriate clothes, if your cold then your not able to focus on the task and your observation skills suffer, which in effect may cause you to miss out on things that may be happening around you.
These are some other things you can bring if you have them.
* Parabolic microphones, these listening devices are becoming more popular in the paranormal field as they are able to capture sounds at great distance. They are reasonably inexpensive and have been said to work great for capturing EVP. (Our Team personally does not use these due to the fact that they are known to be able to pick up sounds from across the distance of a football field. So I'm not sure how accurate they are & feel they could actually be contaminated because of this. But this is a personal preference and will be up to everyone to decide if it's something you want to include.)
* Video recorders (optional tripod), they allow you to film the events of your investigation and give constant video and audio surveliance that can be reviewed after your investigation is complete. With video any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety. This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena.
* EMF Detector, The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF. With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources. It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source. When using the EMF as a tracking device look for fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0, this usually indicates spirit presence. Anything higher or lower is normally has a natural source. (always make sure you have a base reading also prior to beginning your investigation)
* Motion Detectors - these can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits. You can get battery operated ones for about 20 dollars and they are great for inside and outdoors as well. Also, they are great for setting up perimeters on locations where there are multiple entries or exits, they can be set to chime or other tones to let you know that someone or something has breached the area and that there may be someone unaccounted for on the property. So they accually can be another safety item.
* Thermometer or Thermal Scanner - Thermometers are an instrument that is also very useful There are two types used regular digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers. When used on an investigation this will aid as a detection system for spirit presence. Rapid temperature drop of 10 degrees of more could indicate spirit presence. (the advantage of the infrared non contact thermometers is that they react in less than a second to a temperature drop and you can scan a large area quickly.)
But nomatter what items you carry or use, the best thing to know is that you need to completely understand how every item you carry works, and should be familiar with using them properly. Using any of the tools can give you a false reading if your not sure how they are intended to be used. So please take time to learn how they work and make sure that everyone on your team also knows. Spend time hosting training nights where all you do is spend time taking turns working with your items, and don't be afraid to experiment and ask questions.
* First aid kit, even if you've scouted your area out. Once its dark its easy to trip and get cut ect.
* Flashlights & spare batteries, this is just common sense you need a light source and batteries go dead. If possible also have a red lensed light these help reduce glare and also help with night vision.
* Glow Sticks are also great for giving off light in case other light sources aren't working. Most sporting good stores sell them in bulks of 3 (lrg. sticks) for around $6.00. And they work well in emergencies.
* Watch, this helps you keep proper records of times and also lets you know if anything occurs how long it lasted.
* Cell phone, you never know when you may need this and it's better to have along incase of emergencies.
* Hand Held Radios (2 way) or Walkie Talkies are very useful in a large outdoor area and a building with groups spread out in various rooms. They could be great in emergency situations or just to rotate groups. Be sure to be aware they could interfere with your EVP recording though.
* Tablets/ Pens, these will help with noting events on your investigation. If one person gets a high EMF reading and another gets a photo in the same area then notes are available to compare with.
* Compass, these work simular to EMF meters and are alot more cost effective for new teams just starting out. The belief is that if the needle is spinning erractically or is unable to come to a precise heading there is spirit activty.
* Tape recorder & NEW high quality tapes, you can use these instead of the tablets and pens so long as you keep notes. Also they come in handy for your interviews of witnesses on investigations. (high bias or metal tapes are the best choices for recording)
* Digital Voice Recorders, are another option although it's recomended that you shut off the automatic voice record prior to attempting to capture EVP's. Also with either type of recorder you will want an external microphone so that your recordings are clear and you aren't capturing the sounds of the internal gears (especially on manual recorders that use tapes)
* Camera/s, you can use either type of camera for your investigation and there are benefits to both. However if you chose to use a 35 mm then you want your film speed to be at least 400. Always remember to take double shots of everything and when having your film developed tell them you want ALL of your pictures developed. (they may think its a bad photos, and alot of the "bad" pictures are usually your best) The advantage of digital cameras is that most have the ability to take photos in limited light and also have on screen displays. You can see right away if you have a capture. However if your using a digital if it has night settings be sure to set them, and as with 35 mm always take double shots of everything.
* Jackets or weather appropriate clothes, if your cold then your not able to focus on the task and your observation skills suffer, which in effect may cause you to miss out on things that may be happening around you.
These are some other things you can bring if you have them.
* Parabolic microphones, these listening devices are becoming more popular in the paranormal field as they are able to capture sounds at great distance. They are reasonably inexpensive and have been said to work great for capturing EVP. (Our Team personally does not use these due to the fact that they are known to be able to pick up sounds from across the distance of a football field. So I'm not sure how accurate they are & feel they could actually be contaminated because of this. But this is a personal preference and will be up to everyone to decide if it's something you want to include.)
* Video recorders (optional tripod), they allow you to film the events of your investigation and give constant video and audio surveliance that can be reviewed after your investigation is complete. With video any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety. This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena.
* EMF Detector, The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF. With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources. It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source. When using the EMF as a tracking device look for fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0, this usually indicates spirit presence. Anything higher or lower is normally has a natural source. (always make sure you have a base reading also prior to beginning your investigation)
* Motion Detectors - these can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits. You can get battery operated ones for about 20 dollars and they are great for inside and outdoors as well. Also, they are great for setting up perimeters on locations where there are multiple entries or exits, they can be set to chime or other tones to let you know that someone or something has breached the area and that there may be someone unaccounted for on the property. So they accually can be another safety item.
* Thermometer or Thermal Scanner - Thermometers are an instrument that is also very useful There are two types used regular digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers. When used on an investigation this will aid as a detection system for spirit presence. Rapid temperature drop of 10 degrees of more could indicate spirit presence. (the advantage of the infrared non contact thermometers is that they react in less than a second to a temperature drop and you can scan a large area quickly.)
But nomatter what items you carry or use, the best thing to know is that you need to completely understand how every item you carry works, and should be familiar with using them properly. Using any of the tools can give you a false reading if your not sure how they are intended to be used. So please take time to learn how they work and make sure that everyone on your team also knows. Spend time hosting training nights where all you do is spend time taking turns working with your items, and don't be afraid to experiment and ask questions.
