What happens on a Ghost Hunt?

When I tell people that I’m a paranormal investigator, I get mixed reactions. Some people think I’m some kind of brave hero, others take the mickey out of me for chasing my own imagination. I tell them all the same thing: try it for yourself!

There are many great companies who offer fantastic events. I promise you will have a memorable night if you go with an open mind. You will have fun whether anything spooky happens or not. You will also have all the Jaffa Cakes you can eat – it’s like they’re our official sponsor or something.

Common concerns are:

• Will my group split up? – No, the event company won’t make you feel uncomfortable, they want you to enjoy yourself and come back after all!
• Could a spirit follow me home? – It’s not likely. They are in that place for a reason and attaching themselves to a stranger would be very odd behaviour. Some companies also work with mediums who offer extra reassurance with this.
• Will I be on my own at any point? – Only if you ask to be. As mentioned already it is in the event company’s best interests to keep you happy.
• Will I get to use any equipment? – That depends on the company you are with and a quick bit of research will get you that answer. Some use more traditional techniques, others come with a full suitcase and a medium: that’s how I roll!
• What do I do if I see or hear something? – Scream most likely but try not to run as that can cause a health and safety issue.

The format of events is often quite similar between companies. You will likely try more traditional methods of communicating as a priority. This can help you have a personal experience which is always the most convincing. You may have the opportunity to use scientific equipment too. This can be easy to explain away so use a couple of devices at once. It’s more difficult to ignore if you have several things saying the same thing.

Traditional Methods – These rely on your senses to pick up spirit activity. This starts with ‘calling out’ and asking questions which could get a response. This could include hearing a voice, feeling a touch or seeing an object manipulated. Manipulation can be as simple as an item moving or equipment like cat balls activating. You can then try things like human pendulum, dowsing rods, crystals and table tipping.

Ouija boards don’t get used by most companies. This is because of the fear around them partly due to Hollywood. I don’t see the difference in a spirit moving the planchette to them moving a chair. Ouija boards are a game created by the Fuld Family in the late 1800s. When you compare the horror stories to the amount of uses it is no more active than any other piece of equipment. If they could actually open portals then we would finally have proof of the paranormal!

Scientific Methods – Whilst some gadgets are for ‘ghost hunting’, most are from other industries. The ever trusty K2 is a stud finder, it detects the electromagnetic fields given off by spirits. The SLS camera is the Xbox Kinect and will map the spirits as stick figures as well as people. Journalists voice recorders are excellent for detecting EVPs (spirit voices). Then thermal imaging cameras, Infrared cameras, REM-pods, digital thermometers, spirit boxes etc.

I have seen all this equipment produce interesting results.

Use this equipment by asking a spirit to respond to you. Raise your left arm, the figure on the SLS raises its left arm. Make the red light on the K2 light up, the red light comes on. This is why the more equipment the better. The more things that happen on cue the more convinced you will be.

No matter what you try you will be looking for accurate responses i.e. can you tap twice? taps twice. Specific replies to questions you have asked and movements you have asked to see. Everything is open to interpretation and everyone’s opinion valid. We have no way of finding out who is right after all!

That’s one of the biggest attractions when it comes to the paranormal, it is still unknown. Some people like space. Some people like the oceans. The coolest people, however, like the paranormal!

Any questions please ask, I know your first time can be nerve-wracking!