Outdoor Investigations by Bo
By now, most people who have an interest in the paranormal, have seen shows like Ghost Hunters or other paranormal investigators on TV. The majority of the cases that these paranormal groups deal with involve structures like a house or business. However, there may be occasions where the paranormal team is called to investigate an area like a field or place where a building once stood. This article will hopefully give anyone who faces this task a head start in preparing for this type of case and make the search run as smoothly and safely as possible.
The most important thing a group can do is to have permission granted by the owner of the property, because without it, the investigation should not start. Make no mistake, trespassing is a serious offense, so make sure that permission has been granted and if possible, get it in writing.
It is imperative that someone from the team walk the property during daylight prior to the investigation. The group will need to know where to investigate safely, so pay attention to the landscape, boundaries, and details of the property. Be sure to note all paranormal experiences given to you by the owner or person giving you the tour. The human eye was not made for night vision, making dark terrain treacherous. Things like hot wires, barbed wire fences, guide wires, stumps, debris and rocks all make for dangerous obstacles, not to mention any cave openings or drop offs that could cause an investigator to fall . Make sure there are plenty of flashlights and batteries, while night vision goggles are also a plus. Take as much precaution as needed, because the health of the group could be at stake.
Pay attention to the animals and insects of an area. Poisonous snakes such as the Rattlesnake, Water Moccasin and Copperhead are dangerous foes. Bites by these snakes are sure to be medical emergencies, while non-poisonous snakes can cause people to hurt themselves. Try and wear leather boots and keep hands away from ground level. There are also dogs, wild hogs, bears, big cats, skunks, scorpions, spiders, fire ants, wasps, bees, possibly adding up to a potential recipe for disaster. Nothing can be more unsettling than walking through a spider web in the dark. It can create dancing fits and kung-fu like reactions. Pepper spray can help with animals and do not forget the Mosquito spray!
If bitten by a snake and you feel it is poisonous, you may want to safely kill the snake and take it with you to the emergency room. Just do not get another person bitten. Some animal lovers may not like this, but will give the emergency room doctor a heads up on how to treat the victim. If stung by a bee, use a credit card and slide it across sting area to remove the sac and stinger. Pulling out the stinger with fingers will only force the poison into the victim’s skin. If someone is stung, an allergic reaction could happen, possibly leading to anaphylactic shock. The airway can become compromised do to swelling and within minutes, the victim could become unconscious, leading to death. An Epinephrine injector can possibly be used to help alleviate the situation, but a trip to the emergency room is still needed to ensure no further complications. Just because a person hasn’t displayed an allergy in the past, it is possible that the right amount of poison hasn’t triggered the allergic episode. Take plenty of fresh water to drink along with a simple first aid kit for emergencies.
Transportation
Try and park close to the investigation site. Walking a mile
or two through the woods only increases the chance of incidents.
If there is an emergency, carrying a victim will be
tiring and only waste valuable time for medical care. If
possible, take two vehicles, as one can break down.
Imagine being
Do not litter or tear things up on the property. Not only will this keep you from coming back to perform follow up investigations, but it can give fellow paranormal investigators a bad name.
Even though the group is in the woods, there may be a house nearby and a lot of yelling and playing could disturb the owners or neighbors, not to mention compromising the evidence.
Being that the investigation is outdoors, plan ahead for the best search possible. It may be that there will not be a power source, so have all of the batteries charged. Changing batteries in the dark isn’t fun, so do this ahead of time. Bring the right equipment, as you may not be using everything. Check the weather and bring plastic bags to cover equipment in case of rain. Having something like a hunting vest with a lot of pockets could be valuable to store small equipment like digital recorders, EMF detectors and batteries.
To say the least, graveyards are an enticing investigation spot, but most areas have made them off limits at night due to vandalism and other unsavory practices. We must remember that a graveyard is private property and is the final resting place for loved ones. If the group gains permission to investigate a graveyard, treat the area with the utmost respect.
Investigating in the great outdoors can be rewarding, but certain precautions need to be taken. This trip will have the group entering unfamiliar territory, but if done right, it can be done safely and successfully. Just remember the 6 P’s when planning: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performances.
Bo