Atomic Aquatics

The Pursuit of the Perfect Material

In 1995, two veteran designers from the scuba industry, Dean Garraffa and Doug Toth, decided to break the rules. They were tired of the cost-cutting and compromises dictated by corporate accountants. They wanted to build the finest diving equipment humanly possible, regardless of the price tag. They founded Atomic Aquatics with a simple manifesto: “No compromises.”

Atomic is the “supercar” manufacturer of the diving world. They didn’t just improve the regulator; they reimagined the metallurgy behind it. They were the first to manufacture regulators from Titanium, a metal that is as strong as steel, half the weight, and—crucially—completely immune to saltwater corrosion. In the UK, where salt corrosion destroys brass and chrome gear within seasons, Atomic’s titanium regulators (like the T3) are virtually immortal.

But their innovation goes beyond exotic metals. Atomic is obsessed with longevity and performance maintenance. Their patented Seat Saving Orifice solves a decades-old problem: the wear and tear on the regulator seat during storage. By automatically lifting the orifice off the seat when not pressurised, Atomic regulators maintain “out of the box” performance for years, allowing for extended service intervals of 2 years or 300 dives. Their AFC (Automatic Flow Control) eliminates the need for manual venturi switches, using a depth-sensitive aerofoil to adjust airflow dynamically as you descend.

For the discerning UK diver, Atomic is the ultimate aspirational brand. It is for the diver who appreciates engineering art. From their SubFrame masks with UltraClear glass to their Split Fins that reduce joint fatigue, every product is a masterclass in design. Buying Atomic is an investment in perfection—gear that is designed not just to function, but to outperform everything else in the water.