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Cave rescue expert & team resilience

John Volanthen

Transform crisis management and team resilience with John Volanthen, speaker and world-renowned cave rescue expert. John works with organisations to develop exceptional teamwork and risk management skills, delivering insights backed by his George Medal and pivotal role in Thailand's 2018 cave rescue.

Trusted by North West Skills Development Network, iAuditor Summit

John Volanthen, Speaker | World Record Cave Diver
John Volanthen

John Volanthen

Bristol, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Bristol, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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John Volanthen's biography

At a glance

  • World record-holding cave diver
  • Key role in Tham Luang cave rescue
  • Recipient of the George Medal and Stanhope Medal for heroism
John Volanthen is a world-renowned British cave diver and expert in underground rescue, celebrated for his pivotal role in Thailand's 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue. As part of the team that located and helped rescue 12 boys and their football coach trapped deep within a flooded cave, John demonstrated extraordinary skill, teamwork, and determination. His actions, alongside fellow diver Rick Stanton, earned him the George Medal and global acclaim for outstanding bravery. John began caving at the age of 14 through the Scouts, and his passion for exploration has driven him to push the boundaries of underwater cave diving. He has set multiple records, including the longest cave penetration dive at Pozo Azul in Spain and the deepest cave dive in the UK at Wookey Hole. An innovator by nature, John designs and constructs much of his diving equipment, including compact rebreathers and underwater mapping devices, to overcome the unique challenges of cave exploration. Balancing his diving pursuits with his career as an IT consultant in Bristol, John also volunteers with cave rescue organisations across the UK and beyond. His expertise has been called upon in numerous high-stakes rescue and recovery operations, earning him awards such as the Scout Association’s Bronze Cross and the Royal Humane Society’s Stanhope Medal. John is a dedicated ultramarathon runner and volunteer Scout leader outside of diving, inspiring young people through outdoor adventure. His story of perseverance, innovation, and managing risk under pressure resonates across diverse audiences, offering valuable teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience lessons.

John's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Managing risk — Keeping Calm in a Crisis
John Volanthen presents "Managing Risk — Keeping Calm in a Crisis," recounting his extraordinary experience rescuing a young soccer team from the Tham Luang caves in Thailand in 2018. Through a captivating multimedia presentation, he details the intricate rescue process, drawing on his thirty years of cave exploration and diving expertise. Attendees will learn essential strategies for maintaining calm and focus under pressure, equipping them to lead effectively in any challenging situation.
Diving Deeper Into Business
John Volanthen explores the connection between cave exploration and business success. Drawing from his experiences founding and exiting two IT companies, Volanthen shares compelling stories from underwater rescues, illustrating how skills honed in extreme conditions can foster high-performing workplaces. Attendees will learn how to stay calm under pressure, make sound decisions, and pursue goals relentlessly, even in challenging circumstances, providing both inspiration and practical insights for their own careers.
Harnessing Teamwork and Trust
John Volanthen delves into the vital role of collaboration in achieving seemingly impossible goals, drawing on his extensive cave diving experience. He shares poignant anecdotes from the Thai cave rescue, where teamwork transcended cultural and national boundaries to save 13 trapped youths. Attendees will learn about essential themes such as trust, negotiation, leadership, and self-care, gaining insights on how these lessons can enhance business performance and foster stronger team dynamics.

Why we recommend booking John

Book John Volanthen to inspire your team with his extraordinary stories of perseverance and innovation. His experiences in high-pressure rescue situations reveal powerful lessons in teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Transform your organisation’s mindset and motivate your workforce to push boundaries and embrace challenges.

Check John's availability

Trusted by North West Skills Development Network, iAuditor Summit

Testimonials

For the years we have held our conference, we have never had a standing ovation like that for any speaker.

North West Skills Development Network

He brought his story in the most serene way, perfect for the purpose of what we had in mind, and nicely playing into perseverance and creativity. I strongly recommend John to any other event organizer – his added value is tremendous, in any format, to any audience.

Dell Technologies

John was amazing. He blew everyone away and had everyone the edge of their seats, people spoke about his session for the rest of the day. His approach and character are amazing and that really came through in the session.

iAuditor Summit

Featured Projects

John Volanthen - Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book John Volanthen for my next event?
Email john.volanthen@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm John's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is John Volanthen's speaking style like?
John Volanthen structures his sessions around a multimedia presentation format, using first-hand accounts from the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue alongside his thirty years of cave diving experience to illustrate transferable principles in risk management, decision-making, and team collaboration.
What topics does John Volanthen specialise in?
John Volanthen's sessions cover crisis management and decision-making under pressure, business performance through extreme-condition leadership, and teamwork and trust across cultural boundaries. He was awarded the George Medal for his role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, in which he helped locate and recover 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave system.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

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