diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9346183..a0a4649 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -19,4 +19,4 @@ Copy the `effect_template.lua` file into your effects directory, change as neede
 - Restore all modified game state(s) in `OnStop()`.
 
 ## Updates
-- This script template will get minimal updates for additional function or changes.
\ No newline at end of file
+- This script template will get minimal updates for additional functions or changes.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/effect_template.lua b/effect_template.lua
index f825f35..404b32e 100644
--- a/effect_template.lua
+++ b/effect_template.lua
@@ -43,15 +43,20 @@ end
 -- Add custom helper functions below.
 
 function IS_PLAYER_AVAILABLE()
-    local player_ped = PLAYER.PLAYER_PED_ID()
-    if not DOES_ENTITY_EXIST(player_ped) or IS_ENTITY_DEAD(player_ped) then
+    local player_ped = PLAYER_PED_ID()
+    if not DOES_ENTITY_EXIST(player_ped) or IS_ENTITY_DEAD(player_ped) or IS_PLAYER_SWITCH_IN_PROGRESS() then
         return false
     end
     return true
 end
 
+function GET_PLAYER_PED_OFFSET(offset_x, offset_y, offset_z)
+    local player_ped = PLAYER_PED_ID()
+    return GET_OFFSET_FROM_ENTITY_IN_WORLD_COORDS(player_ped, offset_x, offset_y, offset_z)
+end
+
 function GET_PLAYER_PED_HEADING()
-    local player_ped = PLAYER.PLAYER_PED_ID()
+    local player_ped = PLAYER_PED_ID()
     return GET_ENTITY_HEADING(player_ped)
 end
 
@@ -63,12 +68,11 @@ function RANDOM_CHOICE(p1)
     return choice
 end
 
--- Example helper function: creates a ghost ped at an offset from the player
+
 function CREATE_GHOST(ped_model, offset_x, offset_y, offset_z)
-    local player_ped = PLAYER.PLAYER_PED_ID()
     local player_heading = GET_PLAYER_PED_HEADING()
     local ped_model_hash = GET_HASH_KEY(ped_model)
-    local player_coords =  GET_OFFSET_FROM_ENTITY_IN_WORLD_COORDS(player_ped, offset_x, offset_y, offset_z)
+    local player_coords =  GET_PLAYER_PED_OFFSET(offset_x, offset_y, offset_z)
     local ghost = CreatePoolPed(1, ped_model_hash, player_coords.x, player_coords.y, player_coords.z, player_heading)
     SET_ENTITY_ALPHA(ghost, 0, false)
     return ghost