Survival Basics

The subject of this article is from the Living Ship update.
The information from this article is is up-to-date as of 6 April, 2020.

There are multiple game-release versions of the Survival Basics page.

Survival Basics is an information panel.

Summary[ | ]

Survival Basics is a display page referenced by the Game Content page.

Hazard Protection is vital if you plan to spend time away from your ship. Carry Sodium or Ion Batteries. Have a plan to find shelter in caves or structures. Many hazards are worse at night.
Use the Scanner (Key C) to locate key survival resources.
Use Analysis Visor to identify points of interest from afar. Use [Key F] to bring up visor. Look around to locate buildings and supply caches. These locations are often rich in resources and information.
The backpack icon in the bottom right shows inventory status. Not everything is immediately useful. Prioritise the materials to maintain your Exosuit. Advanced products can always be found again.
Acquire vital survival upgrades from Technology Merchants on space stations and planetary shops.
Nearby creatures marked with a Red Paw are predators and may be dangerous. Use your Analysis Visor (Key F) to identify them from afar (zoom with RPM).

See Guide // Getting Around for more specific information on navigating on foot or in vehicles.
Your compass is located at the top of the HUD. It will highlight nearby points of interest and mission objectives.
The Analysis Visor (Key F) detects points of interest from afar. Objects located in the Visor can be pinned, allowing you to track them outside of visor mode.
The Cartographer on Space Stations will supply Planetary Charts for specific buildings.
Collect Navigation Data from the beacons outside planetary buildings, and from modules inside buildings.
Exchange data with the Cartographer.
Use the Quick Menu (Key x) to summon your ship to your location. The starship requires fuel in the Launch Thrusters to take off. Assemble Launch Fuel from Di-hydrogen, found as blue crystals.
Use your starship to cover large distances and fly between planets. To fly to other star systems, use the Galaxy Map (Key X).

Your Exosuit will automatically deploy Hazard Protection when required. Hazard protection is drained by exposure to radiation, planetary toxins, and extreme temperatures.
When your Exosuit's hazard protection system is drained, your shields will begin to take damage.
Hazard protection will recharge automatically when the user is in a building, starship, or cave. Away from shelter, hazard protection systems are recharged with Sodium or various Ion Batteries.
Sodium can be harvested from planetary flora and is found on all worlds.
Pressing (Key C) will activate the Scanner, locating nearby Sodium.
Ion Batteries can be crafted from Cobalt and Ferrite.
Hazard systems can be recharged from the Exosuit inventory, or via the Quick Menu using (Key X).
Acquire survival upgrades from Technology Merchants on space stations and planetary shops.

Life support systems allow you to move around the planet. Sprinting (L Shift) and using the Jetpack (Space) will drain life support power.
Life support systems are recharged with Oxygen. Pressing [Key C] will activate the Scanner, locating nearby Oxygen-rich Plants. Oxygen is found on all worlds.
Systems can be recharged from the Exosuit inventory, or via the Quick Menu using (Key X).
Other ways to refuel life support include Life Support Gel, crafted from Di-hydrogen, and Oxygen Capsules crafted from Carbon and Oxygen.
Analysing plants with the Analysis Visor reveals their bonus materials, which often includes Oxygen. Harvest these materials with the Mining Beam.

The core function of the Multi-Tool is the Mining Beam. The Mining Beam is used to harvest resource from plants and minerals. Use LPM to fire the laser.
Some resources require an Advanced Mining Laser to harvest. Other improvements include upgrades to the laser's power and heat management, and boosts to the number of resources collected.
The Mining Beam is recharged with carbon-based fuels. It can be used to melee (Key Q) to gather carbon from plants in the event of total power loss.
Find new Multi-Tools in space stations and planetary outposts. Different styles of Multi-Tool increase your ability to harvest resources, scan discoveries or fight.
Weapon Modules can be installed in the Multi-Tool, offering increased firepower. Press (Gey G) to cycle between modes. See Guide // Combat for more details.

Locate key survival resources with the Scanner (Key C). Oxygen, Sodium and Di-hydrogen are found on every planet.
Most resources are harvested with your Mining Beam. Press (Key G) to cycle Multi-Tool mode, then LPM to fire the laser.
Use the Analysis Visor on rocks and plants to reveal additional information, yielding extra resources when harvesting.
Some resources require an Advanced Mining Laser or Haz-Mat Gauntlets. Learn these technologies aboard the Space Anomaly.
Use the Analysis Visor (Key F) to search for large mineral deposits, such as Copper. These deposits can be refined into Chromatic Metal, vital to many technologies.
WARNING: Sentinel forces will respond to all planetary harvesting. Avoid harvesting while being observed.

The Starship and Exosuit have several inventory types.
Change between inventory types by selecting the appropriate icon from the starship or Exosuit pack in the Inventory Menu (TAB).
General Inventory space can be used for carrying cargo or installing upgrades.
Technology Slots are reserved for installing upgrades and other technology devices. Use these slots to expand your capabilities without compromising on storage space. When upgrading an Exosuit, these slots are cheaper than general slots.
High Capacity Slots are only found in the Exosuit. These slots are limited in number but have a significantly increased storage capacity. Objects stack in far greater numbers when placed in a high-capacity slot. These slots are expensive to upgrade.
Purchase new inventory slots at the Exosuit Technology Shop on a Space Station. Free upgrades can be found by using Drop Pod Coordinate Data in a Signal Booster.