Here at PIRA, we realize that some of the areas we conduct investigations in have the possibility of posing threats or hazards that the incautious person might overlook. We are also as dedicated to the safety and well being of our team as we are to our search for answers. For this reason, I will be outlining some simple ideas you can follow to help safeguard you and your team during an investigation.

Please note that we are NOT Professional Rescue personnel. These situations are put here based on training, experience in the field and research on the web. It's more of a friendly "heads-up" then concrete advice. Every situation is unique, therefore you should not take our advice as "Law". Just some helpful hints.

#1 – The Buddy System

As Kenny has touched on in the past, the buddy system is one of the easiest ways to help create a safer environment in which to perform an investigation. The benefit of having another investigator in your general area at all times is invaluable. This is especially true if you are inside a building which is in an advanced stage of disrepair. It is always good to make sure your buddy is within at least six feet of you at all times, since an average adult can quickly traverse six feet within one second. This could prove to save the life of someone on your team if they were to get into trouble. Also your buddy might notice a potential hazard before you do, thus saving you from hurting yourself by avoiding a hazardous situation altogether.

#2 – Come Prepared

It is always wise to plan ahead for “Murphy’s law”... since you just never know what may happen. With this in mind, you must make sure all groups are within radio contact whenever humanly possible. And if the groups will be splitting down into pairs at least one person for each pair should have a radio on them at all times. Thus no one in the group should ever be out of easy contact on the radio.

Another useful piece of equipment to keep on hand in case of emergency is a basic medical kit. There are a ton of different types available on the web, so take a look. You can always put together one of your own, with what you think you may need. Here is just a short list of items...

     *Sterile Dressings
                 *Medical Tape (regular tape can fall off due to sweat)
                 *Instant Cold Packs
                 *Disinfectant Spray or Cream
                 *Band-Aids
                 *Antibiotic Ointment
                 *Antiseptic Towelettes
                 *Strip & Knuckle Bandages
                 *Extra Strength Tylenol®
                 *Motrin®
                 *Diphenhydramine
                 *Sting Relief Pad
                 *First Aid Instruction Card
                 *Latex Safety Gloves

#3 – Know Your Surroundings

When conducting an investigation in low light environments it is crucial to maintain a high level of situational awareness. Situational Awareness is basically a strong knowledge of your surroundings at any given time. The higher your level of situational awareness, the more likely you will be able to navigate your surroundings in a time of high stress…such as evacuating an injured team member or running while screaming your head off (because you saw your first apparition!).

This is something that is simple to practice at home or even at work using a few different exercises. Try to maintain a mental picture of your surroundings and the placement of your co-workers at all times. Think to yourself that if you were to be surrounded in darkness all of the sudden, would you know your safest route to the nearest exit? Would you be able to navigate to that exit with little problem?

In this next section, I will outline some general safety protocols for investigations.
Please note that while most are serious, we've thrown in a few funny ones...
that do indeed reflect situations we've found ourselves in.

Situation #1: Without any warning, a member of your team is stricken to the ground and collapses.

Response: Quickly establish if the member has any obvious injuries. The key here is getting the member out of this situation/area as soon as humanly possible, if there is an immediate danger. It would not be a bad idea to have your team familiar with the “Fireman’s Carry” (This method can be found online). It is one of the safest ways to transport a non-injured person. 
    If the member is disabled/unconscious, it is important to safeguard them until medical attention arrives or a safe area can be reached. Do not hesitate, call 911 as soon as possible. The team leader (or highest member in seniority) should act as the “Point Man” and the most able bodied member(s) should carry the member out in the safest way possible. The Point Man’s job will be leading the team out of the area to medical attention or the closest safe area.

Situation #2: During an investigation, it is noticed that there are “extra people” wandering about when all members are accounted for.

Response: All teams and sub teams should be hailed on the radio and rallied in a central location as soon as possible. If the team leaders decide a search of the area is warranted, then the search parties will be no smaller then 4-5 people wherever possible. Also in the interest of safety, the search teams will stay in constant contact with each other. It is extremely critical that no one be off alone, wandering and unaccounted for when the threat of unknown outsiders is present. Not only could the outsiders pose a physical threat, their presence could void any evidence collected during that time.
    Keep in mind that these actions are for the safety of the team and the credibility of any evidence collected. You (and us) are not the police. We can only keep our people safe and observe what the outsiders are doing. In many cases, you simply do not have any authority, so taking offensive actions could (and probably will) land you in police custody.

Situation #3: While out in public with your PIRA shirt on, you are approached by some one Kenny has insulted/lambasted online.

Situation #4: A paranormal event of immense proportion occurs during an investigation.

Response: If the event is a violent and dangerous one, as described by the team leaders, then an evacuation of the premises should be carried out as soon as possible (if not sooner). The team leaders will act as the Point Men, the next able bodied senior member will be the rear guard and all other members of the team will be in between them. The exiting members should keep their left hand on the back of the person in front of them to insure no one is left behind.
    The point men will lead the team out in the safest and most efficient way possible. It is essential that no one be left behind. So, if any member falls, they are to be helped up or carried by the next available able bodied member.
    HOWEVER, if the event is not deemed dangerous by the team leaders, COLLECT ALL THE EVIDENCE YOU CAN!!! This is a once in a life time experience people! If you do not feel that you are in danger, do what you’re there to do.

Situation #5: A pair of team members looses contact with the rest of the group during an investigation.

Response: Similar to the previous search. The teams should be consolidated as quickly as possible. A thorough search of the missing team’s last known location and intended destination should be carried out with haste.
            Continue to call for the missing team members on the radio, and even attempt cell phones. When members can not be accounted for, you should suspend all investigation activities until they are found. Wandering members can cause false positives in areas they are not supposed to be in. Better to be sure, then unsure about your evidence.

Situation #6: During a visit to Gettysburg, Kenny consumes a mass quantity of food from a local eatery and looks as if he will be sick any second.

Response: My advice is to give him room people. This could get ugly at any second.

Situation #7: During an investigation of an “older” section of building, the floor collapses beneath a member of your team.

Response: Do not attempt to run over and grab them. This may just send the both of you tumbling through. Verify if the member is conscious by calling to them. If there is no response, call the authorities immediately. Inform them of the situation and follow their instructions.  If the injured member is able to communicate, get all the info you can about "what hurts", and relay it to the authorities.

Situation #8: During a lecture or tour, a spectator begins to get “out of hand”.

Response: Be professional. You are representing your team and pretty much most of us as well. Keep in mind that during most of these tours/lectures....it being run by someone else. If you get into an argument, it will reflect them as well.
   You're gonna have people who just love to try and make you look foolish...either because they think they know better or they need attention. If you do your homework, you should be OK. Homework is research. Everything we speak or write about, we research so we really do know what we're talking about. That way, we can state the facts that back up our claims, rather then trying to "come up" with a good reason.

    Hopefully these simple insights have helped you better prepare for a sticky situation that you might just find yourself in during an investigation or other event. Just remember that in a bad situation, your best friend is common sense. Stay Safe and Happy Hunting.