The following rules, or guidelines if you prefer, are not up for debate, as they
are put in place for your safety and well-being, as well as for the safety and
well-being of those around you. However as always, when in doubt, ask.
1) During investigations, always have a buddy. We cannot stress this
enough, really. Unless you plan on staying behind to protect the car from
forest animals and possible car-disgruntled spirits, you must have at least one
other investigator attached to you at the hip at all times (except maybe if you
have to go to the bathroom, for that goes well above and beyond the call of
duty.) If for any reason you absolutely, positively need to go somewhere by
yourself (i.e. �my partner is on fire�, �my partner has the T-Virus,� etc.,) you
must let someone know! The last thing we need is to lose another investigator
down a well in the ground. Seriously, it took hours to fish the last one out.
2) Always have a way to communicate. When on an investigation
outdoors, or even a larger one indoors, you or your buddy must have some way to
communicate with the rest of the group, via walkie-talkie, cell phone, smoke
signals, or what have you. As always, if you do not have an easy means of
communication available to you, let someone know approximately where you will be
and for how long. That way, if something comes up we can be sure we can get a
hold of you to let you know it�s time to pack up and head to Pizza Hut, or what
have you. And while we�re on the subject . . .
3) Cell Phones must be silenced. However, we understand that you
might have children at home or parole officers who may need to get in touch with
you in case of emergencies, so unless it is absolutely necessary, keep it
silenced and call your friends back, after the investigation.
4) No pets, children, or any combination thereof. No exceptions. We
don�t care if your snake is a ghost whisperer or your rat can channel the dead.
Leave the children and animals at home. That�s what squeaky toys and
babysitters are for.
5) Investigation area must be scouted in daylight first. To prevent
any unnecessary injuries or disappearances in wells as noted above, the
investigation site must be scouted out in the daytime. The reason we do this is
to take note of any irregularities in the terrain, or any other obstacles that
might become a hazard in the dark or dim light. We ask that all investigators
working on the case be present at this time, however we realize not everyone�s
schedule can be so forgiving. If an investigator cannot come for the day trip,
they must be paired with someone who has, for safety�s sake.
6) Investigators must not be under the influence. By any means,
anyone showing up for an investigation under the influence of alcohol, illegal
drugs, or any other mind altering substances will be turned away immediately,
and may be banned from further expeditions in the future. Period.
7) Anyone wishing to come along must inform us ahead of time. We
require at least 3 days notice if you would like to accompany us on an
investigation to make sure we have equipment for you and something for you to
do, also, it�s just polite and good form. Besides, you wouldn�t want to be
stuck guarding the
car from forest animals and possible car-disgruntled spirits by yourself, would
you?
8) We reserve the right to say �no.� Sometimes, the grounds around an
investigation area might be dangerous, and if we feel it would be a bad call to
put others in danger, the founding members will perform those investigations
themselves. In this day and age, people can and will sue you for anything, and
we would like to keep our shirts on our backs and our butts covered.
(Disclaimer: At no time has any investigator actually fallen down a well and
had to be rescued. In reality, we just left him there.)
