SUBNAUTICA / EXPLORATION

Oxygen Budget

Oxygen is a time limit on every dive outside breathable air or a vehicle with functioning life support.

QUICK REFERENCEFirst SubnauticaReviewed 2026-10-28Reference / noindex

OVERVIEW

Understanding Oxygen Budget

Oxygen is a time limit on every dive outside breathable air or a vehicle with functioning life support.

This is an original reference for the first Subnautica. Your current depth rating, oxygen, available tools and navigation route determine when an objective is practical. Follow actual in-game PDA and Fabricator information for any values that vary by version.

PRACTICAL APPROACH

How to use this information

Reserve enough air to return along the actual route, allowing time for navigation errors.

COMMON MISTAKES

What to avoid

Using the full tank at the destination leaves no buffer for the way back.

CONTINUE ON VOLPEDIA

Related topics and walkthroughs

EXPLORATIONCave Navigation

Tight, dark caves create orientation and oxygen risks.

GUIDESFirst Oxygen And Water Guide

Maintain oxygen and water during the first days

TIPSBuild Small, Functional Bases

Storage, power and reliable oxygen matter more than appearance at first.

PROGRESSIONFirst Day Survival

Stabilize food, clean water, oxygen and basic fabricator access near Lifepod 5.

EQUIPMENTRebreather

An equipment piece that helps reduce oxygen penalties at greater depths.

MODESSurvival Mode

The default mode balancing hunger, thirst, oxygen, damage, crafting and exploration.

EQUIPMENTUltra High Capacity Tank

An improved oxygen tank that enables longer dives on foot.

Back to Survival Systems

Independent Volpedia editorial encyclopedia about the first Subnautica, reviewed 2026-10-28. Unaffiliated with Unknown Worlds Entertainment. Category illustrations are original diagrams, not in-game maps, screenshots or exact creature portraits. No fabricated damage statistics, spawn probabilities or detailed map coordinates. References are documented privately and not shown as outbound research buttons.