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The Ohio Exploration Society attempts to promote legal urban exploration by obtaining permission to enter private property. We do this whenever possible, but if the place is abandoned and we cannot find anyone to grant permission, we may go ahead and explore the location. There are certain guidelines that we follow while on explorations to keep us safe and reduce certain risks. Listed below is the OES Code of Conduct, which all OES members have agreed to follow.

• Anyone participating in exploration with the Ohio Exploration Society (OES) must be at least 21 years of age.

• Those who are under 21 years of age and who explore on their own accord in no way related to the OES may contribute photos and information to the OES, but they will not be considered for OES membership and will not attend official OES explorations until they reach the age of 21.

• Any persons exploring with the OES must carry proper photo identification at all times.

• Each person participating in OES explorations must take complete responsibility for their own actions. If stopped by law enforcement, proper conduct should be shown along with respect for the law. Be ready to admit that you are in the wrong. Always offer your photo ID to the law enforcement officer, even if they do not request it. This will show the officer that you have nothing to hide.

• All fines and penalties that may occur are the sole responsibility of each individual.

• Each person participating in OES explorations are responsible for their own safety and well-being. The OES currently has members who have received training in first-aid and CPR. A first-aid kit and cell phone should be carried on all explorations.

• Persons exploring with the OES agree not to hold property owners, nor the OES as a group or individuals affiliated with the OES responsible for anything that may happen to them while exploring with the group.

• Each individual will be responsible for providing their own equipment for exploration or paranormal investigation. Respirators rated for asbestos are required for some explorations and their need will be determined by OES leadership before each exploration.

• OES members who are involved in romantic relationships should reserve displays of affection for a time outside of exploration or investigation.

• The Ohio Exploration Society DOES NOT TOLERATE THEFT. This means do not take ANYTHING at all! It doesn't matter if it's an old piece of paper or a brand new television. Not only will the group as a whole be in more trouble if stopped by law enforcement, but it will lead to increased security of the location. If anything, pick up an object, look at it, and place it back in its location. Let other urban explorers enjoy the thrill of finding these items as well.

• If an individual is found to be committing a theft while on an exploration with the OES, that individual will NOT be welcome to other explorations, will be banned from all OES activities and their OES membership will be revoked.

• Taking things as souvenirs without the property owner's permission is considered theft. If a property owner, or an agent of the property owner, is not there to grant permission, DO NOT TAKE IT!

• Do not vandalize anything while exploring! This includes breaking windows, busting walls, spray painting, tagging or any other destructive activity. Find a way into the location that is already open. This will reduce issues associated with vandalism and breaking & entering. Vandalism can lead to greater prosecution of stopped by law enforcement and greater security of the location.

• If a place must be marked for future reference, do so in a non-destructive manner. Use masking tape or nylon strings. Always take these items down to reuse or throw away. DO NOT leave them behind.

• Individuals caught vandalizing while on an OES exploration will NOT be welcome to other explorations, will be banned from all OES activities, and the OES membership will be revoked.

• The Ohio Exploration Society will use all means necessary to obtain permission to enter private property or publicly managed sites. When possible, written permission is preferred.

• If a no trespassing sign is present at the location of a potential exploration site, the OES will not enter the property unless permission has been granted by the property owner.

• If there is not a no trespassing sign present at the location and the OES has not obtained permission to enter the property, it will be each individual's decision to enter the property or sit out the exploration. No one will be pressured to enter a location at any time.

• Breaking and entering will not be tolerated. If there is no previously created opening to the structure, the OES will not enter that structure. However, the structure will be kept under moderate observation by OES Coordinators to watch for any opening that should appear.

• Tampering with any evidence (i.e. EVP, photography, etc.) or tampering with evidence during analysis will result in the individual being dismissed from the investigation and could result in termination of OES membership.

• All materials (i.e. EVP, photography, videos, etc.) gathered either as a group or individually, while remaining the property of the individual who obtained the material, should be shared with the OES for posting on its website. Any materials gathered will remain on the OES website, even if the individual leaves the organization. Proper credit will be given if this is the case, if requested.

• Drug and/or alcohol use before or during an exploration or investigation is PROHIBITED. Urban exploration is dangerous enough when sober and use of such materials could jeopardize the group's credibility during an investigation.

• Cigarette smoking is permitted in only designated areas during OES expeditions. It is not always known what type of gasses or other substances could be in the air during an exploration. Ashes from smoking could cause a fire inside a dry abandoned building or in dry grass and could result in false images during paranormal investigations.

• Save these activities until after an exploration or investigation has been completed.

• Any person exploring or investigating with the OES who does not comply with these rules may be asked to leave the current activity and may not be invited to return in the future.

• If law enforcement is encountered during an exploration, DO NOT RUN! Running from the police is about the worst thing one could do in this situation. Not only will you probably get caught, but it will make the entire group look guilty or that there is something to hide. Law enforcement can always call in back-up, including canine and helicopter units.

• Approach law enforcement officers with proper respect and positive attitude, making sure your hands are clearly visible. Ninety-five percent of the time if one is polite and cooperative with law enforcement, they will dismiss the incident with a warning. Sometimes law enforcement will provide more information on the place or give other locations to check out.

• Criminal tools are prohibited from OES activities. These include, but are not limited to, spray paint, bolt cutters, marker pens, crowbars, pick-lock sets and other such items. If these items were discovered by law enforcement, it suggests the group may have been vandalizing the location or breaking and entering.

• Anyone who does not follow these rules for encounters with law enforcement officers will no longer be welcome to explore with the OES.

• A minimum of three people must be present for all structural explorations. This rule was created so that if someone gets injured, one person may stay with the injured party while the other seeks help. Solo explorations of cemeteries, parks and other non-dangerous public places are permitted.

• The maximum number of people for an OES exploration is generally six, but exceptions can be made by OES leadership depending on the size and type of location being explored. This will keep the noise and light level to a minimum.

• During structural exploration, those exploring must always be paired with at least one "buddy" if they decide to branch off from the core group. This will help ensure the group's safety.

• An additional person may be permitted on an exploration of they are stationed away from the group as a point of communication.

• The OES believes in keeping true to the motto of all urban explorers: "Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints." This means you leave the location in the state you found it. Any trash that is generated must be properly disposed of when the exploration is over.

• Lighting must be kept at a minimal level. Nothing will grab more attention than an abandoned building or cemetery being lit up like a lighthouse. Only use enough light to see where you are walking and perhaps an occasional burst of light across a room to see what is there.

• Never shine a light towards a window or any other opening to the outside world.

• Keep noise to a minimal level by not yelling or speaking loudly. Keep a look out for items on the ground or floor that could make noise if stepped on. If someone outside hears a noise, they may become suspicious.