Paranormal Investigation 101: Safety Tips

When getting started as a paranormal investigator or a ghost hunter you may think that it's just a fun hobby looking for things that go bump in the night. Little do you know that there are things that lurk in the darkness that could pose a safety threat. Over the years I created a little "safety cheat sheet" for the new and even the seasoned investigator. 

USE COMMON SENSE

There are things that you can do to make sure that you are safe, use your common sense. If the location looks unsavory or potentially hazardous, leave. If you feel unsafe because of a client or another investigator, leave. Take the    appropriate equipment and precautions that are sensible. Avoid areas that are possibly health hazards or safety concerns. Don't try to be a super hero, it isn't worth it.

ALWAYS GET PERMISSION

It may be exciting to find new and undiscovered locations to check out for your ghost hunting or paranormal investigations, but you should always gain written permission to access every location. Trespassing is illegal and there may be a reason for a location to be barred from the public. Some locations can be in disrepair or even have unsafe materials. Additionally consider the fact that even one person illegally accessing a location can generate a distrust of the community as a whole and could prevent locations from ever giving access. 

NEVER GO ALONE

When investigating the paranormal or exploring a ghost hunting location, there may be a lot of disrepair or safety concerns within the location. We have done quite a few locations where there are holes in the floor, no climate control, no bathroom, leaking pipes, mold, unsavory loitering, wild animals, etc. You never know what you may encounter. These safety issues could potentially cause an injury that prevents you from calling out or contacting someone. Having someone with you at all times will give you safety in numbers. Another thing to consider is that if you experience something, having a second witness to the experience is more validating than one persons experience. 

KNOW YOUR LOCATION

Before heading out make sure you do your research about the location. Map your route to get to the location, make sure you know entrances, and where to park. You should know the layout of the location so that you don't bring equipment you don't need or can't use. Ask the right questions about safety hazards if you have not done a walk through. All of these details will make sure that you bring the right equipment, any necessary non-investigation items, and you avoid needing items you don't have or making last minute stops that could be avoided.

WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

Flip-flips and sandals are never a good idea when investigating. Not only are they loud when you walk, they also pose a risk for tripping or injury to your feet. Wear comfortable sneakers or boots that will not hurt your feet or compromise your investigation in any way. Clothing should be comfortable and weather appropriate. Some locations have no climate control so be aware of needing layers, but avoid clothing that makes a lot of sound when it rubs together. Also avoid loose fitting clothing that could catch on items that could cause injury or accidental damage to the property. Be aware, dark leggings and fitted shirts are see through on IR/ night vision cameras. 

NEVER DAMAGE OR CAUSE DESTRUCTION TO THE LOCATION

While this is common sense, it is definitely necessary to share. Even if you were given permission to access the location, the best bet is to not touch or move things in a location that you have no business touching (or don't have express permission to touch). There have been many instances where individuals have accessed a location illegally and done unsavory things that ended up with them injured. There have been fires, floors collapsing, train accidents, and more. This also follows the same line of the No Trespassing. If one person damages or destroys property, even accidental, you may prevent yourself and others from getting access to this or other locations. Respect the location and all of its belongings.

BE RESPECTFUL

Whether it is the spirit of a deceased person or another entity, you must understand that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Be respectful, have boundaries, and create an intentional ritual to prevent attachments. Spirit attachments can be difficult to remove and can cause havoc on yourself and your life. As for the living; respect your client, fellow investigators, the location, and the case. The hardest part of trying to help someone with their paranormal case is for them to let themselves be helped. That may seem weird but people are passionate about things they can't explain, even if they are explainable. Be aware that sometimes the client is the most unsafe part of the investigation and you should be respectful no matter if they are respectful in return. Make sure your interactions keep you safe.

DO NOT PROVOKE

This goes along with being respectful. You have no idea what you are dealing with and there are instances where spirits or entities fight back. As I said before be respectful, have boundaries, and create an intentional ritual to prevent attachments. When you communicate with the spirit realm you create an etheric cord and if you don't practice safe methods you could potentially have a lasting cord attachment with spirits that you don't want. 

CARRY EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

The need for basic emergency supplies isn't always going to be a given, but wouldn't it be nice to have an antiseptic for wounds and bandages just in case? No one wants blood all over their paranormal equipment and they don't want you licking your wounds, it's unsanitary. Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, bandaids, an antiseptic like Bactine, sterile gauze, a triple antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, pain reliever like Advil, Aleve, and Tylenol (bring several kinds in case individuals have medical conditions from preventing them from taking one of these), instant cold packs, bug spray, bug bite cream, sunscreen, poison ivy preventative, poison ivy cream, hydrocortizone cream, and more. Having a little first aid kit with these items can be a life saver. Don't forget to bring snacks and drinks in case you are out for a while and just in case someone has an issue with their blood sugar. 

LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING

In this day and age there are so many teams that it can be stressful to pick one. If you join a team that you do not know the individuals involved, let someone know where you are going. Be mindful of red flags and request a public meeting or interview if you are by yourself. Don't go off to remote locations with people you don't know to an area that is unfamiliar or dangerous. If you don't feel safe, leave. If you are with a trusted team of individuals, there should be someone who is not attending that knows where you are going. Leave an address, the names of who you will be with, and any emergency contact information. When you are investigating or ghost hunting make sure someone has a phone. While we always recommend you have the phone on airplane mode, you are still able to be tracked via GPS if it is in Airplane mode and you can easily and safely turn it back on to contact emergency services. 

HAVE EMERGENCY FORMS

All of the members of Antietam Paranormal Society are required to fill out an emergency form for us to have on investigations. These forms are confidential but will be used if we need to contact an emergency service if the member has an injury or illness and they are not conscious. It lists Emergency Contacts, allergies, surgeries, medical conditions, medications, and more. We keep these with our paperwork during every investigation. 

HAVE WAIVERS AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

Not everyone has the resources to purchase liability insurance to protect themselves, their members, the clients, and the location however there are a few things you should do just in case. Antietam Paranormal Society requires all members to sign confidentiality and liability waivers when they join the team. They are also required to sign waivers when we do locations where the client requests them. If clients are present on investigations they are required to sign a liability waiver for their participation. The client is also required to sign a form giving us permission to investigate their location and a hold-harmless agreement for any issues that may occur as a result of our investigation. Public Ghost Hunts and Tours that we do also require a registration and liability waiver to participate in the event, however most locations have insurance that covers such events. The obvious choice is to attempt to purchase insurance for your team, however it can be costly and there are certain limitations.

When investigating or ghost hunting you can never be too careful. Too many people have been injured and ended up with issues for years because of not creating a safety standard for their events. This list is a comprehensive guideline for the most common things that could create safety concerns. So go out there, have fun, and above all, be safe.

Rebecca Boyer

Co-Founder/ Case Manager

Antietam Paranormal Society