Shearwater Research’s Jetpack for Avelo diving has achieved CE marking, clearing an important regulatory hurdle for the Avelo System’s expansion into the European market.
The certification means the Shearwater Jetpack can be sold in Europe, potentially giving more divers, instructors, dive centres and retailers access to a system that takes a significantly different approach to conventional scuba buoyancy control.
According to Shearwater Research, the Jetpack bears the CE mark in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 covering personal protective equipment. The product underwent EU Type-Examination and demonstrated conformity with EN 250, the European standard applying to open-circuit self-contained compressed-air diving apparatus.
The milestone represents a significant step for both Shearwater and Avelo.
Avelo developed the original equipment behind the Avelo System along with its training methodology, while Shearwater has become the lead manufacturer of the current Jetpack.
The two companies originally announced their strategic research and development partnership in November 2024, combining Avelo’s alternative approach to buoyancy control with Shearwater’s experience in dive electronics.
How The Avelo System Differs From Conventional Scuba
Rather than relying on an air-filled BCD to compensate for changes in buoyancy during a dive, the Avelo System uses water added to or removed from a specialised Hydrotank.
As a conventional scuba diver descends, gas within a BCD and exposure suit compresses, changing buoyancy and requiring adjustment. The Avelo concept instead uses water as ballast within the system, with the aim of reducing buoyancy changes as depth varies.
The current Shearwater Jetpack incorporates the backplate, harness, electronics, battery and fluid-control components used with the Hydrotank.
It also incorporates an integrated transmitter providing cylinder-pressure information to compatible Shearwater dive computers operating in Avelo Mode. The system includes Bluetooth connectivity for firmware updates and diagnostics, while Shearwater lists the complete Jetpack, including its pump, battery and surface marker buoy, at 6.05kg.
Why CE Marking Matters
CE marking is particularly important because diving equipment entering the European market is subject to the European Union’s regulatory framework for personal protective equipment.
EU Regulation 2016/425 establishes requirements covering the design, manufacture and marketing of PPE within the European Union. The European Commission describes CE marking on PPE as evidence that a product complies with applicable EU legislation.
Shearwater says the Jetpack was assessed by an EU notified body and successfully completed EU Type-Examination, demonstrating conformity with EN 250.
For Avelo, this removes a major obstacle to expanding a system that until now has had more limited geographical availability.
European dive centres and instructors will also be able to consider adding Avelo equipment and training to their businesses, potentially increasing the number of locations where divers can encounter the system.
Shearwater Expands Beyond Dive Computers
The development is also notable for Shearwater.
The Canadian manufacturer has built much of its reputation around dive computers and electronics, particularly within technical and rebreather diving. Becoming the lead manufacturer of the Jetpack represents a significant expansion of that role.
Shearwater CEO Jason Leggatt described achieving CE marking as an important milestone for both the Jetpack and Avelo diving, saying the company was looking forward to making the equipment available to European divers, instructors, dive centres and retailers.
The relationship between the companies has steadily deepened since their initial partnership.
Shearwater now designs and manufactures the Jetpack, while Avelo continues to develop the broader Avelo System and training ecosystem.
Avelo Training Expands Alongside The Equipment
European availability of the equipment comes as Avelo is also expanding its training programme.
In August 2026, the organisation launched Avelo Diver, an entry-level programme intended for people without previous scuba certification.
According to Shearwater, the course meets the ISO 24801-2 autonomous diver training standard. Graduates can dive with a buddy without direct professional supervision to a maximum depth of 18 metres in conditions comparable with those experienced during training.
That creates an increasingly complete ecosystem around the technology, covering equipment manufacturing, dive-computer integration and diver education.
For European divers, CE marking does not by itself answer the larger question of how widely Avelo will ultimately be adopted. That will depend on factors including availability, training infrastructure, dive-centre participation and how divers respond to a buoyancy system that differs substantially from the equipment most learned to dive with.
It does, however, remove one of the major regulatory barriers standing between the technology and one of the world’s largest established diving markets.
