Escape from Tarkov – How to use the new healing system

With the big wipe update 0.13.5, Escape from Tarkov has received some new features and adjustments, including a new healing system that allows you to heal yourself more specifically and quickly in the game.

We explain how the new feature works and what you have to change in the game to use it.

This is the new healing system

Previously, there were two options to heal yourself in Escape from Tarkov: Either you hit the shortcut for your healing item and the game prioritized where the healing went, or you had to open your inventory and were very vulnerable during the healing process.

The new system gives you a middle ground where you can select the body part you want the item to be applied to directly from the shortcut menu.
You’re not in inventory when you do this, so you can react much faster to enemies and other circumstances.

How it works

You simply press and hold the button on which the item is located, then scroll with the mouse wheel to the body part you want to heal.
And that’s it.

The new feature works for all items that you can select via shortcuts (i.e. that fit in your belt or vest) and that are applied to certain body parts.
This includes all healing items and kits, bandages, bleeding stoppers, fracture supports, and surgery kits.

Here is what you have to change

The new feature is not active by default, but you have to make a small change in the game.

To do this, go to your key bindings in the settings and scroll to the hotkey buttons. There you can change them from Press to Release in the right column.

After this change, you can decide whether to just quickly press the button and the game will take over the prioritization, or to hold down the button and scroll.

And that’s it – now you can use the new feature in the game.

Even though it might take a bit of getting used to at first, you should notice pretty quickly that it gives you a lot more freedom and makes you more flexible.