You begin dives positively buoyant on the surface. Add water to the Hydrotank to reach neutral buoyancy, then descend. Because the system does not rely on air bladders, it maintains buoyancy stability regardless of depth. Adjustments are minimal and intuitive.

With no expanding air bladder and always manual buoyancy control, the Avelo System eliminates the risk of uncontrolled ascents. Emergency ascent protocols are practiced in training, and the system’s simplicity minimizes potential failure points.

Once you have completed your Avelo training, you will be an expert in establishing neutral buoyancy with the Avelo System. Once neutral, you remain stable throughout the water column. Unlike air-filled BCDs, Avelo does not expand or compress with depth, and you can effortlessly and precisely change depths or keep yourself at the same depth without even thinking about it.

Most divers use little to no lead when diving with the Avelo System. The water added to the Hydrotank functions as dynamic ballast, significantly reducing or eliminating the need for traditional weights. When additional weight is needed, up to 6 pounds of trim weights can be added to the Hydrotank cage and/or the Jetpack harness. If more weight is required, such as when diving in cold water with a drysuit, we recommend using a standard weight belt or harness.

Yes, Avelo can be used with a drysuit, and many divers successfully dive the system in colder or more challenging environments. However, several important considerations apply:

· Training Required: Divers must be certified drysuit divers with demonstrated competency in managing drysuit use and emergencies, such as uncontrolled ascents caused by air migration (“the drysuit balloon”). Drysuit procedures should be practiced regularly and integrated with Avelo System use.

· Weighting: While diving Avelo typically requires less weight than a conventional BCD, drysuit divers should expect to use more weight than warm-water Avelo divers due to the drysuit’s inherent buoyancy. Even so, you may still need approximately half the lead you would normally use with a traditional BCD. Weighting should be carefully assessed and confirmed during training dives.

· Buoyancy Management: Divers must be comfortable managing two separate buoyancy compartments: the Hydrotank and the drysuit itself. Correctly distributing gas in the suit to avoid excessive air migration, inversion, or uncontrolled ascent is essential.

In short, Avelo is suitable for drysuit diving only if you have the appropriate training, experience, and an understanding of proper drysuit buoyancy management procedures.

Even skilled divers benefit from more control, reduced task loading, and more consistent buoyancy. Avelo enhances focus, calmness, and gas efficiency.

Yes. All divers begin with the RAD specialty course, which requires open water certification.

Contact an Avelo Dive Center to enroll in the Recreational Avelo Diver course.

Yes. Courses meet ISO standards and are recognized globally. DAN offers professional liability insurance.

Available at authorized Shearwater dealers.

Yes. Rentals are available at Avelo Dive Centers.