How to Get the Rebreather and Rope Gun Early in Sons of the Forest

Locate the Rebreather and Rope Gun early in Sons of the Forest to access crucial areas and tools like the Shovel.

How to Get the Rebreather and Rope Gun Early in Sons of the Forest — illustration

To get the Rebreather and Rope Gun early in Sons of the Forest, first head to the boarded-up cave entrance on the northern coastline of the island. Inside this cave, you’ll find the Rebreather, which is essential for reaching the Rope Gun, located in a separate cave that requires underwater exploration.

Rebreather Location and Acquisition

The Rebreather is a vital tool for extended underwater exploration in Sons of the Forest, enabling you to recover other essential items and weapons. It is located in a dark cave, referred to as Cave A, found along the northern coastline of the island. When starting a new game, there is a chance you might spawn near this beach, providing an excellent opportunity for early acquisition.

To pinpoint the cave, look for bodies skewered on the shoreline. From the beach, head towards the forest where an alcove with yellow cans outside will become visible. If approaching from another direction, scan the area where the beach meets the water for yellow cans floating in the water. The cave entrance itself is boarded up, requiring an axe to chop down the boards for access. Once the boards are removed, press ‘E’ to squeeze through the opening and enter the cave.

Navigating the Beach Cave

Upon entering Cave A, you will find it to be particularly dark. While your lighter (equipped with ‘L’) can provide some illumination, a crafted torch (Cloth and Stick) is more effective for lighting a wider area. If you’ve already found the Flashlight, it’s also a beneficial tool here.

The first notable items inside are a flashing red light from a laptop and a small light to the right. Interact with the laptop to discover the location of the Entertainment Bunker, which will be marked on your GPS Map with a blue TV icon. Nearby, you can loot cases for resources and collect Flares and 9mm Ammo. Crucially, on the right side of the laptop, you will find an Air Tank, which is necessary for the Rebreather you are about to collect. Further into this initial section, you’ll find two bodies, additional 9mm Ammo, and “The Sunset Times” newspaper clipping by the second body.

Continue deeper into the cave, following the linear path. You’ll encounter areas illuminated in blue and small lights guiding your way. Bats will fly out as you approach. Crouch to pass under low ceilings and navigate past hanging skeletons into the next section. The path remains linear, leading to another lit room with a floating rubber ring. Beyond this, you will encounter two enemies. You can choose to run past them if you are not prepared for combat. Past these enemies, the path splits. The left path leads directly to the Rebreather.

Optional: Stun Gun and Artifact

Before heading left for the Rebreather, consider taking the right path to collect the Stun Gun and a piece of the Artifact. This right path is initially linear and narrow. You’ll pass a body on the left and enter a larger, open space with skeletons hanging from the ceiling. To the left of these skeletons, you’ll find breakable boxes. You will start encountering mutants, but you can run past them if you prefer.

Continue until you see crosses and reach a section with stalagmites and a dead body slumped against them. Go right from here to hear a radio playing, suspended from the ceiling, which you can collect. Underneath the radio, there’s a laptop. This path leads to a dead end where you will find the Stun Gun on a hanging body. After acquiring the Stun Gun, return to the slumped body and take the left path to find the Artifact piece. This path also features more crosses and some boards you can break.

Acquiring the Rope Gun

Once you have the Rebreather, you are equipped to retrieve the Rope Gun. The Rope Gun is found in a separate cave that requires the Rebreather for underwater navigation. Having both the Rebreather and the Stun Gun will make the journey to the Rope Gun significantly easier. The Rope Gun is essential for reaching the Shovel, which in turn is used for digging up graves and finding other key items like a GPS locator and the Shotgun. Therefore, prioritizing the Rebreather and Rope Gun early in your playthrough is highly recommended for progression.

The sources indicate that the Rope Gun is accessible after obtaining the Rebreather, but do not provide specific details on its exact cave location or the steps required to acquire it within that cave. As of June 22, 2026, further details on the Rope Gun’s precise location and acquisition steps are not available in the provided information.

FAQ

Where is the Rebreather located? The Rebreather is located in Cave A, a boarded-up cave entrance on the northern coastline of the island. Look for yellow cans and bodies skewered on the beach.

Do I need any tools to enter the Rebreather cave? Yes, you need an axe to chop down the boards blocking the cave entrance.

What should I bring into the Rebreather cave? A torch (crafted from Cloth and a Stick) or a Flashlight is highly recommended due to the cave’s darkness. You’ll also need an axe for the entrance.

What other important items can I find in the Rebreather cave? Inside the Rebreather cave, you can find an Air Tank (essential for the Rebreather), the Stun Gun, a piece of the Artifact, and the location of the Entertainment Bunker.

Why is getting the Rebreather and Rope Gun early important? Acquiring these items early allows you to access other crucial tools like the Shovel, which is necessary for plot progression and finding items like the GPS locator and Shotgun.