Available to book

Cave rescue expert & team resilience

John Volanthen

Crisis Management

Dealing With Pressure

Effective Leadership

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.

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John Volanthen

Bristol, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

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Bristol, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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John Volanthen's biography

Explorer

Innovator

Humanitarian

Author

Adventurer

Motivational

Athlete

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.

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Trusted by North West Skills Development Network, iAuditor Summit

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What topics does John Volanthen specialise in?

John Volanthen specialises in discussing cave diving, underwater rescue, equipment innovation and more.

What is John Volanthen's speaking style like?

John delivers insightful presentations with calm authority, drawing on real-world rescue experience. His style emphasises teamwork, innovation, and resilience, inspiring audiences to overcome challenges and manage risk effectively.

How can I book John Volanthen for my next event?

Email john.volanthen@getapeptalk.com or call us 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 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. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure John Volanthen for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about John Volanthen's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting John Volanthen directly.

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