Before you document
Start a simple timeline: date, time, room, who was present, what happened, and anything environmental that may matter.
Field resources
Good notes make better questions.
These are simple, practical ways to document an unusual experience before you decide whether to contact an investigator.
Preserve originals
Keep the original file when possible. Make a copy before editing, trimming, enhancing, or sharing a recording or image.
Look for practical causes
Power events, plumbing, HVAC, animals, sleep disruption, and changes in routine can all create experiences worth checking first.
Protect privacy
Do not publish another person’s name, address, footage, or story without their clear permission.
Put safety first
If you feel unsafe, unwell, threatened, or at immediate risk, contact the appropriate emergency, medical, or security professional.
Ask better questions
What was directly observed? What is remembered afterward? What information would change your interpretation?
A note on certainty
You do not have to decide what something means before you record it.
The most helpful notes separate the event itself from the conclusion that followed. That gives you — and anyone reviewing the material — a better starting point.
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