The Mars Abyss

MARTIAN SURVIVAL MANUAL

Based on the Incident Report: Exocommunication of Crew Members During Sandstorm Alpha-7

Survival protocols based on NASA Martian Contingency Procedures.

INCIDENT REPORT

During a routine geological survey in the Valles Marineris region, two crew members (Dr. Aris Thorne and Engineer Lena Kovac) wandered from the designated trail to investigate an unusual mineral formation. A sudden, unprecedented sandstorm of magnitude 9.2 forced the expedition vessel to evacuate immediately. Communication was lost with the two crew members, who had fallen into a deep crevice while seeking shelter.

Despite multiple rescue attempts, the severity of the storm and unstable terrain made recovery impossible. The two are now considered excommunicated from the main colony and must rely on their survival skills until a rescue window opens in 68 Martian days.

⚠️ MARTIAN SURVIVAL PRIORITY

On Mars, the order of survival priorities differs from Earth. Atmosphere and temperature regulation take precedence over water and food due to the immediate lethal environment.

PRIMITIVE NAVIGATION

  • Martian North Star: Use Phobos and Deimos positions to determine direction
  • Shadow Stick Method: Works on Mars but requires adjustment for longer day
  • Wind Patterns: Note prevailing wind directions for orientation
  • Landmark Navigation: Use Olympus Mons as a massive reference point
  • Emergency Beacons: Activate personal locator only when rescue likely

CONSERVING ENERGY

  • Oxygen Management: Limit physical exertion to preserve suit oxygen
  • Thermal Regulation: Use rock shelters to maintain body temperature
  • Sleep Cycles: Sync with Martian day/night cycle (24h 37m)
  • Minimal Movement: Plan routes carefully to avoid unnecessary travel
  • Mental Preservation: Practice meditation to reduce stress oxygen consumption

SHELTER BUILDING

  • Lava Tubes: Seek natural formations for immediate protection
  • Rock Walls: Build against windward side of formations
  • Emergency Hab: Use damaged equipment to create sealed environment
  • Thermal Insulation: Layer regolith for temperature stability
  • Radiation Shielding: Minimum 3 meters of regolith required

SIGNALING FOR HELP

  • Solar Reflection: Use any reflective surface to signal orbiters
  • Ground Markings: Create large geometric patterns visible from air
  • Emergency Frequencies: Conserve power for scheduled rescue windows
  • Smoke Signals: Not applicable in Martian atmosphere
  • Audio Signals: Limited effectiveness in thin atmosphere

WATER PROCUREMENT

  • Atmospheric Condensation: Extract water from air at night
  • Regolith Processing: Heat surface soil to release bound water
  • Ice Mining: Search for subsurface ice in polar-facing slopes
  • Recycling: Maximum efficiency of all bodily fluids
  • Conservation: Limit to 500ml daily when supplies low

FOOD SOURCES

  • Emergency Rations: Stretch standard 7-day supply to 30 days
  • Martian Lichen: Certain species are edible with preparation
  • Insect Protein: Limited native insectoids may provide nutrition
  • Hydroponic Recovery: Attempt to regrow from food waste
  • Nutrition Prioritization: Focus on protein and fat preservation

EARTH SURVIVAL

  • Rule of 3s: 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food
  • Fire: Critical for warmth, water purification, and signaling
  • Shelter: Protection from elements and wildlife
  • Water: Can be found from multiple natural sources
  • Signaling: Smoke, mirrors, ground markings effective
  • Navigation: Sun, stars, natural indicators readily available

MARS SURVIVAL

  • Rule of 3s: 3 SECONDS without suit, 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours without temperature control
  • Fire: Impossible in low-oxygen atmosphere
  • Shelter: Required for radiation and temperature extremes
  • Water: Must be extracted from atmosphere or soil
  • Signaling: Limited to electronic and visual methods
  • Navigation: Requires technological aids or celestial calculation

MARTIAN EMERGENCY PRIORITY PROTOCOL

  1. IMMEDIATE: Assess suit integrity and oxygen levels
  2. URGENT: Find or create pressurized shelter
  3. CRITICAL: Establish communication if possible
  4. ESSENTIAL: Conserve power and oxygen supplies
  5. NECESSARY: Secure water source
  6. IMPORTANT: Ration food supplies
  7. SECONDARY: Plan for long-term survival

NOTE: The psychological impact of Martian isolation cannot be overstated. Maintain regular communication with your partner and establish routines to preserve mental health.