Paranormal TV Shows, do you need all that equipment?

I am a paranormal investigator hobbiest. I do not wish anyone to think I have tons of experience investigating the paranormal. However, I have been experiencing the paranormal for as long as I can remember. In my younger years before investigating the paranormal was 'cool'. I did not take any 'tools' with me to try and figure out what was going on, but I used a level head to try and debunk the situation. 

Now, that being said. My husband and I have the same interest in the paranormal. Not only did we take the same classes, but we do watch paranormal shows, documentaries, we read on the subject and try to take as many classes that we can on the subject. I have shared many experiences with him and I have also shared what I was able to explain away and the things that plague me today on what was not explained away.

One thing I have realized that in the want and need for scientific explaination, many investigators bring tons of equipement, while others bring very little. I also have seen many different groups going into the same haunted location and come out with different experiences.

With that said, what I have realized is that the less equipment, it seems like you get better experiences. I have also found that with the most level headed or level minded, the best experiences you have at the location. I have also seen that many people already have all the equipment that they need in their drawers or closets to use for investigating paranormal experiences.

I owned a used furniture and antique store in the 1990's. I was plagued with paranormal experiences from morning throughout the day and into the night. What I used was a simple camera and recorders that I left throughout the store. I picked up tons of EVP's and I have a KodaK print of a group of interesting figures standing and floating in my store. I knew from the KodaK picture, the EVP's and experiences that I and many people had at my store that it was haunted. With my store it was the pieces in my store that was haunted and probably something that was haunting me personally. I had hair pulling experiences, pushing, pulling, cups breaking and a spinning wheel that would start spinnning on its own. I used to bring my dog to work and she would respond to what was haunting my store.

A quick list of what I believe should be brought to a first search of a paranormal site; a compass, flashlights with extra batteries, digital recorder, camcorder with extra batteries, a digital camera, a journal to log your experiences, your best state of mind, a buddyor buddies that you can trust with a good state(s) of mind and permission to be on the property. Remember to always go to the place in question before dark to be able to pin point dangers that you might not otherwise see.

Having at least one person with you will encourage you not to freak out at the first possible noise. Many noises or experiences can be ruled out, or debunked, if you will - if you keep a level head. Never and I mean never go to a site on your own. If you get hurt there will be no one to help you. If you see or hear something, there will be no one to back you up. Always be smart and use your head when investigating anything. You need to be professional and curious at any location. Also, give a time line as to how long you intend on being at a location. Some investigators think that the best activity begins at 3:00 AM and will only last a matter of two hours. They call this 'Dead Time'. Some think it is midnight until dawn. Some think that it just needs to be dark. This seems to be a personal choice. Try all kinds until you find what works for you.

Only stay at a location if you can conduct an investigation, but if you being plagued by sudden illness or if your subconcious is telling you it is no longer safe, leave. Your body has triggers to keep you safe, if you are feeling unsafe, you are! Come back another time, with someone else if you can not with you current buddy. Nothing is worth you being attacked physically or mentally.

When conducting EVP work, try to keep the chatter down. Give the entity time to respond. Listen and try to ask questions. Sometimes I ask a question and wait at least a minute or two before asking another. Then I will sit quietly and listen. If you hear something, do not yell, run or scream. Nudge your partner and try to gesture where you hear it. Try and confirm with your buddy if they heard it also. Then listen again. Give some time when doing EVP work. Do not ask a series of questions, wait five minutes and then leave. You have not given enough time for the entity in question to pull enough energy to answer. Paranormal investigation is not what you see on TV. It takes time, sometimes boring time to get anything. Many times you will go away from a location without anything. If you do, but still think there might be something there, go another time. Do not go on an investigation when you have high anxiety or are sick. You will not be confortable and you will be too busy thinking about your personal life not investigating.

One pet peeve I have is cell phones on an investigation. Take your phone, but shut off the ring tone. Do not answer a call from a buddy while on an investigation. Your attention will be on the phone call and you will miss out on what is going on around you. Also some investigators feel that your battery will not last as entities will draw from the cell phones energy. Much like they will from your flashlights, camcorders and any other devices that have batteries. Do not freak out if this happens. It seems to happen frequently. Just make sure you log it.

The main point in investigating the paranormal is to have fun investigating it, but also if you find any proof - please share it. Set up a website and upload your information for others to view and give an opinion. Right now as in the past this is still a researchable and fact finding area and the more information the better it is for other investigators. By all means, if you think you have a hot location, ask another investigating team to come in and try to see if they get something at your site. Happy hunting.