How to Find and Activate the Rebreather in Sons of the Forest

Locate the Rebreather in Sons of the Forest by navigating Cave A on the northern coastline, chopping through a barricaded entrance, and collecting the Air Tank. This guide details the exact path and activation steps.

How to Find and Activate the Rebreather in Sons of the Forest — illustration

To find and activate the Rebreather, first locate Cave A on the northern coastline of the island, identified by yellow cans near its entrance. After chopping through the boarded-up entry, proceed through the cave, collect the Air Tank located near a laptop, and then follow the left path at a fork to reach the Rebreather. Once collected, the Rebreather automatically equips, allowing for extended underwater exploration.

Rebreather Location

The Rebreather is a crucial piece of equipment for exploring underwater areas in Sons of the Forest. It is found within Cave A, situated on the northern part of the island’s coastline. You can pinpoint its exact location on your GPS map. When approaching the area, look for yellow cans floating in the water or placed outside an alcove if you’re coming from the forest. A distinctive sign that you’re at the correct cave entrance is the presence of bodies skewered on the shoreline nearby. The entrance itself will be boarded up, requiring an axe or another weapon to break through.

LandmarkDescription
Cave ANorthern coastline, near the beach.
Yellow CansVisible near the entrance, either floating or on land.
Skewered BodiesFound on the shoreline, indicating the correct beach.
Barricaded EntranceRequires an axe to open.

It’s worth noting that new games may sometimes spawn you directly on this northern beach, giving you a head start towards acquiring the Rebreather.

Upon entering the cave, it will be quite dark. It is highly recommended to have a light source ready. While a lighter (activated with ‘L’) provides some illumination, a crafted torch (requiring Cloth and a Stick) or a Flashlight (if you’ve already found one) will offer better visibility.

Immediately inside, you’ll see a laptop with a flashing red light. Interacting with this laptop will mark the Entertainment Bunker on your GPS map. Crucially, to the right of this laptop, you will find and need to collect the Air Tank. This is essential for the Rebreather to function. Nearby, you can also loot cases for resources such as Flares and 9mm Ammo. Further into this initial section, you’ll pass two bodies; the second one holds “The Sunset Times” newspaper clipping, a collectible note.

Continue deeper into the cave until you reach a section illuminated by a blue light. Bats may fly out as you approach. You’ll need to crouch to pass under a low ceiling here, moving past hanging skeletons. The path is largely linear until you encounter two enemies. You can choose to engage them or run past if you’re not prepared for a fight. Beyond these enemies, the path splits.

To find the Rebreather, take the left path at this split. The right path leads to the Stun Gun and a piece of the Artifact, which you can return for later if desired. The left path is initially bone-strewn and will lead to a shallow body of water. Follow the rocky path around this water. Do not dive directly into the water here, as a shark lurks beneath the surface. The Rebreather will be found on the floor at the water’s edge, surrounded by various resources.

Activating and Using the Rebreather

The Rebreather itself does not require a separate “activation” step beyond picking it up. Once you collect the Rebreather from its location by the water’s edge, it will automatically be equipped. The Air Tank you collected earlier near the cave entrance provides the necessary air for its operation. With both the Rebreather and Air Tank in your inventory, you can now swim underwater for extended periods, allowing you to access submerged caves and retrieve additional tools and weapons.

The Rebreather is vital for progression, as it enables access to areas containing other key items like the Rope Gun, which in turn is necessary to reach the Shovel. The Shovel is then used to unearth items like the GPS locator and the Shotgun from graves.

Escaping the Cave

After acquiring the Rebreather, you have a couple of options for exiting the cave. You can retrace your steps back through the cave system, or you can utilize the underwater exit near the Rebreather’s location.

If you choose the underwater exit, be aware of the shark. You can distract it by throwing limbs into the water. Throw the limbs to the left of where you found the Rebreather (when facing the water). Your escape route is to the right, almost directly opposite your entry point into this specific area. Once the shark is distracted, you can safely dive into the water and follow the exit route, which will lead you back to the outside world.

FAQ

Where is the Rebreather located on the map? The Rebreather is located in Cave A, which is found on the northern coastline of the island.

Do I need any tools to get into the Rebreather cave? Yes, the entrance to Cave A is boarded up, so you will need an axe or another melee weapon to break through the boards.

What other items should I get while in the Rebreather cave? You should definitely pick up the Air Tank, which is found near the laptop at the cave’s entrance. You can also find the Stun Gun and a piece of the Artifact by taking the right path at the cave’s fork, though this is optional for obtaining the Rebreather itself.

How do I activate the Rebreather? The Rebreather automatically equips once you pick it up, provided you also have an Air Tank in your inventory. There is no separate activation button or process.

Is the Rebreather necessary for game progression? Yes, the Rebreather is essential as it allows access to underwater areas that contain other key tools like the Rope Gun, which is needed to get the Shovel, an item required for significant discoveries like the GPS locator and Shotgun.