A genuinely different way to scuba dive is now officially cleared for sale in Europe. Shearwater Research has confirmed that its Jetpack — the harness-and-pump unit at the heart of the Avelo diving system — has earned CE marking, meaning European divers, instructors, dive centres and retailers can finally buy it locally.
If you haven't come across Avelo, it throws out the classic buoyancy control device. Instead of inflating and deflating a BCD with air, the system manages buoyancy by pumping water in and out of a specialised Hydrotank cylinder. The idea is to lighten the load on your back and give a more direct, weight-based feel for buoyancy. The Jetpack is the bit that carries the cylinder and houses the battery-powered pump doing that work.
Shearwater — best known for its dive computers and rebreather electronics — took over manufacturing of the Jetpack after partnering with Avelo in November 2024. The CE process isn't just a rubber stamp here: the Jetpack has been certified to EN 250, the European standard for open-circuit scuba equipment. That matters because the unit includes an air-integration transmitter, sending cylinder pressure wirelessly to compatible Shearwater dive computers running in Avelo Mode. Shearwater CEO Jason Leggatt called the certification an important milestone, noting Europe's long diving heritage, while Avelo Labs CEO Aviad Cahana said it opens the door to bringing the system to many more European divers.
There's also a training angle for anyone tempted to try it. Avelo launched its entry-level Avelo Diver course in August 2026, aimed at complete beginners with no prior dive experience. The course meets the ISO 24801-2 autonomous diver standard, so graduates can dive with a buddy — no professional supervision required — to a maximum depth of 18 metres, in conditions similar to their training environment. That's the same benchmark used for mainstream entry-level certifications, which tells you Avelo is playing by established rules rather than operating as a niche gimmick.
Why should holiday divers care? Buoyancy is the skill that separates relaxed divers from ones who burn through air and kick up sand, and a system that promises lighter gear on the boat and a fresh approach to trim is worth a look — especially at European dive centres that start stocking the kit. Beginners get a new entry point into diving without first learning traditional tank-and-BCD technique; experienced divers get another option for their next Mediterranean or Red Sea trip. Keep an eye on Avelo-equipped centres and instructor availability before booking, though — a certified product doesn't automatically mean a dive shop near your resort has one yet.
