102909 Paranexus Newsletter

29 October 2009

The ParaNexus Newsletter

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© 2009 by ParaNexus.org. Editor: David Desjardins CD This Newsletter is distributed free of charge to anyone interested. Please visit ParaNexus.org to subscribe. Serious article submissions welcome. Please send subm i s s i o n s t o [email protected]

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- Responsible Research: “Experts”…

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I N S I D E TH I S I S S U E :

Letters From the Editor

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What Will it Take? Thought’s for Discussion

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Science, Religion, and the Paranormal

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Halloween Special

With Doug and Grant Details to be announced

N e w Parapsychology Fact and Fiction

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Gizmos and Gadgets BOSS Micro BR

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Members Research assistant, Online with many great features and tools located all in one place on the web.

Join or Renew your membership now to take advantage of many new membership benefits. Visit: http:// www.paranexus.org /forum/index.php? page=36

- Buzzards Might Roost in My Hair - Tiny Packages ,Cigarettes All in Row These Blogs and others can be found at:http:// www.paranexus.org/forum/ index.php?zc

A n n o u n c e m e n t s What’s tall, hairy and smell’s like rotten eggs? Find out in the latest entry of the ParaNexus ParaPedia.

ParaNexus is happy to welcome Dr Ingrid Irwin to the Board of Directors. Ingrid, an EVP specialist will be heading our EVP research department as we bring anomalous research to the forefront.

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In the spirit of David Bowie, “Ch-Ch-Ch-ChChanges”. Over the next few weeks I will be playing around with different formats and templates for our newsletter in order to streamline it and make it as aesthetically pleasing as I can. Comment‟s and suggestions are always welcome. In the same vane, and as I had posted within

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the forums at ParaNexus, I would also like to get some feedback on content. This newsletter is somewhat a labour of love for me, I love writing and I don‟t mind researching any topic, but in the end it is for you, the readership. What would you like to see covered within future pages to keep us fresh, educational and to inspire you? Please

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don‟t be shy. Suggestions, questions, comments or concerns pertaining to this article or anything contained herein may be sent to: [email protected] or [email protected] I look forward to receiving your feedback. Certified Paranormal Investigators Course Available at ParaNexus Academy

What Will it Take?

To be one's self,

Thought’s for Discussion

and unafraid

By David Desjardins CD

whether right or wrong, is more admirable than the easy cowardice of surrender to conformity. Irving Wallace (1916-1990) Writer and screenwriter

As far back in time as paintings on cave walls there have been recordings of flying craft and visitors in strange outfits. High profile accountings in the media, including such events of “The Battle of LA” in 1942, to more recent accounts from around the world indicate frequent visitation by intelligent beings. Yet, despite these facts, eye wit-

ness accounts from such credible sources as astronauts, members of the government, military, law enforcement, etc…, as well as the statistics from any number of sources, some governments still insist on using such excuses as weather balloons and swamp gas to explain away UFO‟s. What will it take for the truth to

race of intelligent beings mature enough for this truth? I guess only time will tell. One way or the other! To discuss this or any other topic, please visit: http://www.paranexus.org/ forum/index.php? action=forum

come out, and are we as a

Science, Religion, and the Paranormal Researching

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Investigating

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Open Mind

By Doug Kelley, CH, CSL, CLPI, ParaNexus Chairman, Executive Director Paranormal investigation groups seem to be sprouting up all across the United States in recent years, no doubt due in part to increased media attention. Television shows like “Ghost Hunters,” “Most Haunted,” and numerous documentaries do very well because many people want to know the answer to perhaps the biggest question of humanity: What happens when we die? Like many oth-

ers, I founded my own paranormal group, the Scientific Paranormal Investigation, Research, and Identification Team (SPIRITeam) to search for the answer to that age-old and elusive question, and to help people along the way. As I conceived of and created the SPIRITeam (initially for a novel), I

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wanted to approach paranormal investigations from a scientific standpoint; I wanted to use the scientific method to gain evidence of the paranormal, whichever subcategory it fell into, e.g., ghosts, UFO‟s, mysterious creatures, etc. That meant that I would first seek a rational, natural explanation of specific events before I would conclude that they were paranormal in nature. My philosophy would be “Open-mindedness tempered by healthy skepticism tempered by open-mindedness.” Many paranormal groups also take a similar approach. As I read about the investigations of other groups as well as performed my own investigations, I began to see a common theme: Many groups would have personal paranormal experiences during investigations, sometimes even capturing apparitions on video, but then what? How can you scientifically prove that anything paranormal happened? These events are usually not reproducible in a lab. So, groups go and investigate, experience many strange things, acquire some weird pictures, video, or EVP‟s, and then go do it all over again. I wondered, beyond personally experiencing these strange events, what do we really have that can be shown as concrete proof? Furthermore, are high EMF readings, cold spots, and dust orbs about all we can expect to get from our investigations? And even if we were to see and video tape a fullbody apparition, then what? What would it really tell us about the “other side?” I wanted more. This is when I began to seriously and open-mindedly reassess all of the known paranormal investigative techniques, with a particular focus

on ghosts and spirits. These techniques range from the usual electronic gadgets such as EMF meters, thermometers, and cameras, to the use of psychics, mediums, dowsing rods, séances, and the like. In this regard, I have heard and read many a paranormal group strongly discourage the use of “non scientific” tools, such as dowsing rods and séances. I couldn‟t help but wonder why. Of course, the explanations range from “it‟s too subjective and you can‟t prove it” to “you could be dabbling in something that could ultimately hurt you, perhaps even possess you.” Contrary to what one might think, some investigators seem to harbour a deep fear of spirits. Again I wondered, “Is it true that you can‟t prove psychic evidence? And, is it true that spirits or malevolent entities can harm you?” If it is true, how can it be proven? And if not true, where did these notions come from?” The result of my thinking and research on the matter was that it all depended on a person‟s beliefs. Belief is arguably the most powerful thing in the known universe. Beliefs have started every war fought in the history of humanity, and they are responsible for everyone‟s success or failure in life. Beliefs at one time killed many alleged witches, and, during the inquisition, many thousands of innocent people with contrary “beliefs.” Beliefs once told us we could not fly, and then Beliefs told us we could, so we did. When it comes to investigating the paranormal, which belief is correct? Is the scientific method the best? Or are non-scientific methods better? Can I become possessed? Can spirits hurt me? Will a spirit follow me home if I don‟t mentally surround myself with a bubble

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of “white light” or say a prayer before investigating or burn sage smudge sticks? Are all psychics frauds? The answers are: Absolutely yes, and absolutely no. It all depends on your beliefs. If you believe it is so, then it is true for you.(1) Beliefs are also responsible for all of the good and all of the bad of both religion and science, and I will go so far as to say that science and religion are principally the same thing. How so? They both often approach life— and especially the paranormal—with preconceived notions. Religion in general and mainstream science are both essentially closed-minded. In order to arrive at a balanced and open-minded conclusion about the best approach to investigating the paranormal, consider the following regarding fundamentalist religion and fundamentalist science. RELIGION I have had an extreme interest in all aspects of the paranormal since I was a small child, having devoured dozens of books and done much research on the topic. To date, I can‟t say with certainty that I‟ve ever had a paranormal experience, but I‟m hoping that will change. When I was about nine years old, my friends and I put together a makeshift Ouija board using a blank sheet of paper and some long-forgotten trinket to serve as a planchette. It seemed to work—at least to the minds of creative nineyear olds—but we got so spooked that we tore our “Ouija board” up and never tried again. My greatgrandfather died when I was just a toddler, and as I grew up, my

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cousins and I swore we saw strange things happening at his house in Blackfoot, Idaho, including an apparition of him walking with his cane. Again, undoubtedly the creations of imaginative children. It was at this time that I did my first formal “paranormal investigation.” My religious belief system put the kibosh on my serious efforts to investigate the unexplained for most of my life up until a few years ago, however I still covertly read many books on the subject as well as watched any documentary I could find. As a Jehovah‟s Witness (JW),(2) my Christian belief system dictated that spirits or ghosts of any kind were “demons” or “fallen angels,” and we as a group were warned that if we had anything to do with the occult, it could open a channel for them to attack us. The fear of demons was inculcated in us from

I remember when the movie, “The Exorcist,” came Absolutely yes, out in the early seventies. The and absolutely no. gossip train launched into full It all depends on throttle as my religious friends your beliefs. If began to recount all the mysyou believe it is so, terious happenings during the filming, or about how people then it is true for became you.(1) “demonized” (possessed) by simply watching it in the theatre. Christian evangelist Billy Graham even claimed an actual demon was living in the celluloid reels of the 1973 movie (and he was absolutely correct—the power of belief).(3) In retrospect, it was amazing just how many of the religious people I knew were almost mesmerized with “demons.” It was, at times, sensationalized among them, after all, who can resist a good ghost (or demon) story? There were many “demon” stories floating around JW circles, which makes sense. Cults usually attract the lowly, the depressed, and people who can‟t or won‟t think for themselves. Who better to imagine that they‟ve seen demons than people with demons of their own?

The answers are:

This naïve and Dark Ages‟ mentality of “demonfear” even spread to purchasing used items. For example, I heard more than once that it “was not a good idea to purchase items at garage sales because those items could be possessed; they could

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infancy, and we were to yell God‟s name out loud and flee if we saw any sign of them. Of course, I now know that this was simply cult mind control. But as a result of this belief, we were absolutely forbidden to have anything to do with Ouija boards, Tarot Cards, Mediums, Psychics, Fortune Tellers, or anything else that even smacked of the occult—and this included some television shows or movies. Some JW‟s (not all) would not even watch the comic television series, “Bewitched,” as they were paranoid about “bringing demons into the house.” Even watching the Smurfs were thought by some to invite demons.

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bring „demons‟ into your home.” I never really believed that—even as a Christian—and I can attest to the fact that I‟ve purchased many things from garage sales over the years and have never once had a problem with “demons,” ghosts, or spirits of any kind. Damn it. After 40 years of mind-numbing and soul-killing fundamentalist religion, I had had enough. I could no longer justify nor reconcile the concept of a loving God with the pain and suffering of humanity. Furthermore, I was tired of lobbying a supernatural being (praying) to do the things he ought to be doing anyway. I am now an Agnostic “Dougist.” I believe in the indomitable power of the human spirit and in having a truly open mind—not half open, and therefore, not half closed. I do not believe that we need anything beyond ourselves to fix our problems. This is similar to the beliefs of Secular Humanists, but they don‟t typically believe in the spirit world. At the risk of sounding ambiguous, I neither believe nor disbelieve in spirits; however, the evidence strongly suggests that something is indeed going on. Whether this means dead people or the psychic manifestations of our own minds—or both—no one knows. This is why I founded the SPIRITeam to try and find out. Religion and Paranormal Investigations The bottom line is that many religions (and every fundamentalist religion) regard ghosts and spirits as demons and fallen angels—things to stay away from. They also denounce anything of an occult nature, such as Ouija boards, psychics, mediums, dowsing rods, Tarot cards, séances, hypnosis, and pendulums, etc. as satanic, or “from the Devil.”

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Could it be that some paranormal groups who profess to follow the scientific method but denounce alternative approaches as dangerous have allowed religious beliefs to cloud their thinking and half-close their otherwise open minds? SCIENCE Of all people, one would think that scientists would have the most open of minds. However, this is not always the case, at least not with mainstream science. These days, scientists in general must play the political game if they are to be eligible for grants or to get published in “respected” scientific journals. All too often, scientists in general have to balance true open-mindedness with concerns of tenure, job promotions and pay raises, acceptance, and academic stardom. To be sure, many scientists exist who do believe in the paranormal, or at least allow for it as a potential reality. However, to admit this belief publicly would often mean the death-knell to their careers. To these open-minded scientists, I understand your predicament, and I applaud you for not mentally succumbing to the “old school” beliefs of the last two centuries that will soon die out when the old boys are gone. You may have to play the game, but you don‟t have to sacrifice your soul. And you never know, perhaps we‟ll even have a chance to talk with these “good ole‟ boys” on the other side and see what they believe now! During the 19th century when the Darwinian theory of evolution began to take hold, science made a concerted effort to distance itself completely from anything that even hinted at religion. A case in point is the concept of a global deluge, or the Flood of Noah‟s day. Strong evidence exists that the earth suffered widespread and regional flooding, although the story of Noah building an Ark that could feed, water, and care for thousands of animals does not stand up to deductive reason nor is it logically feasible.(4) 19th century science categorically denied any and all evidence of a flood because if a biblical flood was proven by science, then the Bible would be proven by default, and science would not hear of such „heresy.” Therefore, any scientist who published or promoted the idea of widespread historical flooding could say goodbye to his or her career. Similarly, “Skeptics” and “Debunkers” are joined at the hip with the religion of science, or “Scientism.”(5) To be fair, the words “skeptic” and “debunker” are often used loosely and can convey different shades of meaning with different intensities depending on the context. Technically, to “debunk” means “to expose or ridicule the falseness, sham, or exaggerated claims of” a particular issue, and “skeptical” means “marked by or given to doubt; questioning.”(6) I like the following summation: “„Skeptical‟ means to question and „Debunk‟ means to expose while ridiculing."(7) Using the foregoing definitions, to be skeptical is healthy; it implies that a person is open-minded and undecided, but is trying to prove it one way or another. To debunk implies that the person possesses preconceived notions from the outset and is trying to prove it one particular way regardless of any evidence to the contrary. Debunkers are no different than religi-

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onists in that they approach the issue with faith, which is belief absent of evidence, or in this case, belief based on denial of evidence. It often impassions me when I watch a documentary or read a book in which the current parade of skeptics (debunkers) appear on cue to dismiss any compelling evidence out of hand saying in effect, “No, it didn‟t happen; these people are kooks; it was simply their imaginations or mass hysteria or mass delusion/hallucination, etc.” They often speak with such cocky authority that they almost seem believable. They fancy themselves as open-minded and objective, but they are the very epitome of what they claim they are not: closed-minded. Even Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a principle consultant and debunker for the U.S. Government‟s UFO Projects Grudge and Blue Book as well as the credited originator of the famous “Swamp Gas” UFO explanation, (8) could no longer deny what the evidence suggested. Late in life, he became a believer. Underscoring the predilection of many scientists and hard-core skeptics (debunkers) to ignore compelling evidence, Dr. Hynek once said, "As a scientist I must be mindful of the past; all too often it has happened that matters of great value to science were overlooked because the new phenomenon did not fit the accepted scientific outlook of the time."(9) He was obviously a scientist who could not keep his mind even partially closed indefinitely. SCIENCE AND PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS The bottom line is that many scientists today ignore compelling evidence of the paranormal with an almost blind faith usually associated with religion. This corrupted thinking has also infected some paranormal groups who categorically reject out of hand any nonscientific means of answering paranormal questions. To be sure, any paranormal research group must be somewhat open-minded, or they would not be doing what they do. But could it be that they have allowed the religion of Scientism to partially close their minds to meaningful alternatives? Another valid question also arises, “Can the paranormal be explained in scientific terms?” I personally believe that it can because there are physical laws governing different dimensions or planes of existence (do some research on recent discoveries in quantum physics). However, I do not believe that the technology yet exists to recreate or duplicate “scientifically” what our creative “right brains” perceive. In other words, using scientific or non-scientific tools, we cannot force a ghost to materialize on demand.

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CONCLUSIONS In the world of paranormal investigation, many researchers are certainly well educated in the field, but the term “expert” is relative because nobody conclusively understands nor can they prove exactly what is going on—and empirical evidence definitely suggests something is going on. In our efforts to discover whatever truths exist, we as a paranormal research community must aspire to and advocate the true scientific method, that is, “the openminded search to discover and explain reality, whatever that means and wherever that takes us.” Furthermore, we must not allow preconceived notions or beliefs to dissuade us from using any and all tools at our disposal, regardless of whether they are scientifically or intuitively based. In her article, “Science, Scientism, and Anti-Science in the Age of Preposterism,”(10) Philosophy Professor Susan Haack wrote: "The genuine inquirer wants to get to the truth of the matter that concerns him, whether or not that truth comports with what he believed at the outset of his investigation, and whether or not his acknowledgement of that truth is likely to get him tenure, or to make him rich, famous, or popular. So he is motivated to seek out and assess the worth of evidence and arguments thoroughly and impartially. This doesn't just mean that he will be hard-working; it is a matter, rather, of willingness to re-think, to re-appraise, to spend as long as it takes on the detail that might be fatal, to give as much thought to the last one percent as to the rest. The genuine inquirer will be ready to acknowledge, to himself as well as others, where his evidence and arguments seem shakiest, and his articulation of problem or solution vaguest. He will be willing to go with the evidence even to unpopular conclusions, and to welcome someone else's having found the truth he was seeking. And, far from having a motive to obfuscate, he will try to see and explain things as clearly as he can." During the Dark Ages, Galileo‟s life was all but ruined by the Catholic Hierarchy because he dared to publish his scientific findings that the sun (and not the earth) was the center of the solar system. Human arrogance has plagued our species for millennia, and whether that arrogance states that we are the center of the universe, or whether there is only one way to approach paranormal investigation, it is still arrogance. True science is open to all possibilities and methods. True science is about discovery. True science does not arrogantly approach unexplained events with preconceived notions. If we are to really discover what lies beyond this

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plane of existence (if anything), we also must not allow ancient belief systems born at a time when humanity attributed bad storms to angry gods to deprive us of potentially useful tools and color our perceptions with preconceived notions. We must open our minds completely and then use our power of deductive reasoning to determine which tool or approach fits any particular situation best. Like every other paranormal researcher, I want to know the truth; I want to know the reality of spirits, UFO‟s, mysterious creatures, and the like. And if it means using electronic tools such as cameras and digital recorders combined with intuitive tools such as psychics and séances, then so be it. I want to know. And no disabling belief contrived from fundamentalist religion or fundamentalist science will stop me. A half-open mind is still half-closed.

End Notes (1) For more on this, read my article, “On the Existence of Ghosts, Demons, and Possession” available at http://www.paranexus.org. (2) FYI for any JW‟s: I deliberately did not use the phrase, “one of Jehovah‟s Witnesses.” (3) About.com, http://horror.about.com/od/everythingexorcist/a/ faq_exorcist.htm. (4) http://www.abarnett.demon.co.uk/atheism/noahs_ark.html. (5) “Scientism is the belief that the assumptions, methods and even the speculations of science are equally appropriate, if not essential, for the proper understanding of all knowledge including religion. Scientism explicitly denies both the special revelation of truth and the existence of a sovereign, supernatural and eternal being. In the religion of Scientism, the Cosmos (matter, energy, time and space) is believed to be eternal and the only ultimate reality. Scientism teaches that all things have their being and origin in the intrinsic properties of nature. It follows that if gods were to exist, they too would only be a part and product of nature. The social and philosophical implications of Scientism for man are embodied in the religion of Secular Humanism.” — David N. Menton, Ph.d, “Carl Sagan: Prophet of Scientism,” Copyright (c) 1991 Missouri Association for Creation, Inc. http://emporium.turnpike.net/C/cs/sagan.htm. (6) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. (7) The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation, http:// www.vaparanormalconference.com/about.php. (8) http://www.cohenufo.org/willnusaddendum.htm. (9) Sarah Schneiman and Pat Daniels, editors; Mysteries of the Unknown: The UFO Phenomenon; Time Life Books, 1987; ISBN 0809463245 (10) As published in “Skeptical Inquirer” magazine, November/ December 1997 issue. http://www.csicop.org/si/9711/ preposterism.html.

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P a r a p s y c h o l o g y F a c t B y

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The word parapsychology is synonymous with modern paranormal research, with more and more “Parapsychologists” appearing, seemingly, on a daily basis. Common misconceptions would have the subject covering everything from ghosts and apparitions to cryptozoology. Quick internet searches yield results such as paranormal investigators, psychic entertainers, magicians, “paranormalists” and a host of other pseudoscience and fringe topics. With all these different definitions floating around it can be hard for the uninitiated to grasp the true meaning behind the term parapsychology so I‟d like to set the record straight and dispel as many myth‟s as I can in a short article. Parapsychology is the study of events which fall within one of three categories classified as, direct mental interactions with living systems (PK), extra sensory perception (ESP) and the survival hypothesis. All of which are associated with the human experience. Examples of the aforementioned categories include:

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Near Death Experiences (NDE);

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Out of Body Experiences (OBE);

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Poltergeist or large scale PK phenomena;

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Telepathy;

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Reincarnations;

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Place Memory (residual haunting);

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Psi and AnPsi (Psi in animals);

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Presentiment;

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Precognition; and

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Clairvoyance.

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Parapsychologists do not adopt the title lightly or on a whim because it sounds impressive as some may assume. Researchers into parapsychology hold post graduate degrees and PhD‟s in such fields as psychology, spiritual psychology, theology, psychics, biology, and philosophy, to name just a few. True researchers

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within the field, will not be found in the wee hours walking through cemeteries or breaking into abandoned buildings for thrills and chills, they will not be found entertaining audiences or telling you your future. They can however, be found conducting experimentation within controlled environments in a scientific and methodical manner. Findings will be recorded, catalogued and presented for review by their peers and research papers will be written for publication. So the next time you come across an individual or organization claiming to be comprised of “Parapsychologists” or study parapsychology, a review of the facts will validate the legitimacy of such a claim. One thought I would like to pose with regards to what type of experiences fall within these categories, is regarding alien abductions. Many correlations can be made between reported abductions throughout history and experiences reported in a haunting in that abductees' often report activity that closely resembles that of large scale PK phenomena with telepathy used as the primary means of communication between the visitor and the human contact. Could it be that some abductions are not physical at all, but psychological or psychic in nature with any resulting physical injuries being psychosomatic? More research is indeed required to properly to answer this question, however, it is my belief that such accounts have a direct bearing on the human experience and I feel the topic valid for consideration.

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For those of you that are familiar with this little gem, you‟re no doubt thinking that I‟ve lost my mind. Please bear with me and I‟ll explain. To everyone else, I‟d like to introduce the BOSS Micro BR. Intended as a palm size, 4 track recording studio for musicians, guitarists in particular, the Micro BR does double duty as one of the better digital voice BOSS Micro BR recorders I‟ve ever used for investigations. Due to the fact that the unit was intended as a “professional” level multi track recording device BOSS has made it to live up to that standard in recording. Slightly larger than an iPod touch and smaller than its instruction booklet, the BOSS Micro BR offers such features as built in microphone, which, because the recorder has no moving parts, records great quality for its size with next to no ambient hiss which is inherent to other digital voice recorders. Aside from the musician aspects such as the 4 track (32 virtual track) recording capabilities, guitar amp modeling, 300 drum patterns, chorus, flangers and a host of other guitar FX features, the Micro BR stands out with its ability to record in three different compression formats. While recording in MP3 mode you are able to use the multi effects processor which includes such things as an equalizer for isolating certain frequencies, the ability to highlight vocals while cutting background noise and a time stretch algorithm, which allows the user to slow down the recording in increments without changing the pitch. This feature alone makes on the spot review of questionable captured audio a breeze. Using the supplied mini USB cable makes connecting the Micro BR to a computer quick and painless, plus, due to the fact that it records on a standard SD card, even if you don‟t have a cable with you, all that is required is to pop out the card and plug it into any computer with a card reader. There are no software requirements with this product as everything is onboard and as long as you have a few SD cards running out of recording space isn‟t a problem either.

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Additional features include: Input/output jacks for Guitar/Bass, external stereo microphone, line out or headphones; recorded data can be converted, within the Micro BR to MP3, Wav or downloaded to computer; the unit can function as an MP3 or Wav file player allowing the user to take their music with them when not recording; trainer function allows user to playback MP3 or WAV files at a slower tempo or eliminate the sound localized at the center of the sound field; runs on 2x AA batteries (included) or PSA AC adapter (not included); and includes a 128 Mb SD card. CON’s: As with anything there are a few con‟s associated with this unit. First of all is battery life. It is a battery pig, with brand new or fully charged batteries lasting maybe 3 hours of constant recording, tops. The power adapter is well worth the extra few bucks and lessens your frustration of running out of juice. No external speakers. Quality headphones or a set of external speakers are required if you want to review any audio recorded. Bottom Line: This unit is intended for musicians. I‟m the one that has gone and twisted it to my own devices. If you are not musically inclined or have no real use for guitar effects and drum patterns you may wish to look at other recording products out there that are a little more user friendly (not that this is hard to learn). For me the key feature is in the playback, the onboard multi-effects processors and time stretch ability in the palm of my hand. I don‟t have to transfer files and open up sound editors to hear what dearly departed uncle Fred is trying to say to me saving time in the field. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but as far as digital voice recorders go for functionality, the BOSS Micro BR gets my thumbs up. Besides, even if you get absolutely no evidence what so ever, you have almost 300 drum patterns to pass the time with. What could be more fun than that? Additional information may be found by visiting BOSS USA http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php? ProductId=818

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