Map out the Area
If your location is a
big one, or even if it isn’t, it’s a good idea to get a
layout of the areas you will have to investigate on the
night. This can be turned into a small map which can be
put on your itinerary (check Investigation Plan). This
will help your team to know where they are going on the
night, and also to establish where baselines etc have
been taken. You can either do this by drawing a rough
guide of the areas, asking the venue if they have any
maps you can take a photocopy or by taking
photographs/footage of the areas you are investigating.
you can do this
Observation
As well as knowing
where all the useful sockets and lights are for setting
up your equipment, it’s also a good idea to look out for
things such as generators, machinery, and any other
electrical appliances which may be emitting high amounts
of EMF. This could possibly affect your own equipment on
the night, and also the effect of high EMF on humans
(see the EMF workshop section) must be taken into
account.
It is also good to note
any loose wiring/cabling hanging about, and to ask your
host if there is anything you need to be aware of such
as noises equipment may emit or electrical things that
automatically turn themselves on or off.
A good look around is
always a must and having a few of you to look quite
often results in one person spotting something that
another might miss. Taking photographs of any dangerous
areas etc. you find is a great way to keep an accurate
record and to show the rest of your team.
Amenities
This may seem like an
odd one but most important for the night. Knowing in
advance things such as parking, toilets, a usable
kitchen, where you can base your team can all make the
investigation night itself run a lot more smoothly.
Money
A lot of venues these
days will charge a fee. We try to avoid the more done to
death locations and seem to be able to gain entrance
into a lot of ‘free’ venues.
If your venue is
charging it’s a good idea to know how much for how many
and when it needs paying, but even if your venue isn’t
charging it’s a really nice gesture, good practise and
makes an excellent impression to make a donation. What
you donate is totally up to you but a suggestion of
£5-£10 per person is a reasonable amount and usually
very welcomed by the venue.
This will also make for
a better reference from them too!
Health & Safety/Risk
Assessment
One of the most
important parts of a recce is to check for hazards.
It’s vitally important that you make sure you are aware
of all possible dangers etc. before the actual night and
it’s also a good idea to include this on the itinerary
you give your team prior to the investigation. At the
very least you will need to tell your group before they
start the investigation and make sure your team has
adequate torches/lighting on the night. You will also
need to find out about areas which may be out of bounds.
