John Volanthen

World Record-Holding British Cave Diver; Played Key Role in 2018 Tham Luang Thailand Cave Rescue

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John Volanthen Biography

John Volanthen is a world record-holding British cave diver who has been at the forefront of underground rescue and exploration over the last two decades. Volanthen began caving with the scouts at the age of 14 and continues to push the limits of underwater cave exploration to this day. In 2018. Volanthen is best known for his role in the Tham Luang Thailand , where he was the first diver to locate and contact the missing youth Thai soccer team alongside long time diving partner Rick Stanton. Described as the “A Team” of diving rescues by the British Cave Rescue Council, he also planned and participated in the children’s rescue. Volanthen has been involved in a number of search, rescue, and recovery incidents in the UK, Ireland, France and further afield.

Volanthen has been involved in exploring and mapping caves throughout the world, including the UK, Europe, and Malaysia. Volanthen’s success hinges on an innovative approach, designing equipment and procedures to solve the unique difficulties presented by each cave. In Wookey hole in the UK, alongside Rick Stanton, Volanthen advanced the British cave diving depth record to over 90M. As part of an International team, Volanthen set a world record for the longest cave diving distance from surface, well over 10km. Volanthen continues to explore and document underwater caves throughout the world.

Using his background in medical electronics, Volanthen has built and sold 2 Information technology businesses. He has also produced innovations to allow the exploration and mapping of ever deeper and more complex caves in a safe and controlled manner. These include an underwater mapping device, communications systems and state of the art, micro rebreathers, allowing divers to stay underwater longer than was previously possible.

Volanthen has been recognized by a number of organisations for his cave rescue work, including the Royal Human Society, Scout Association, and National Geographic as Adventurer of the Year. He was awarded the George Medal from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. Living in Bristol, in the UK, Volanthen spends his ‘spare’ time running ultra marathons.

John Volanthen Speaking Topics

  • Harnessing Teamwork and Trust

    From cave rescue missions to meeting business goals, teamwork is a critical element to countless endeavours. Using anecdotes from decades of cave diving experience, Volanthen explains how skilled individuals can be brought together to achieve what may appear impossible. Through the lens of the Thai cave rescue Volanthen provides an emotive story of the rescue of 13 trapped youths, detailing how teamwork and collaboration can cross cultural and national boundaries to yield spectacular results. Covering core topics such as trust, negotiation, leadership and influencing, as well as touching on self-care and team welfare, Volanthen explains how lessons learned in the harsh underground environment translate directly to improved business and team performance.

  • Diving Deeper Into Business

    Volanthen firmly believes that the passion and skills developed for cave exploration and rescue directly translate to business. Having founded and exited two IT businesses, he has successfully applied skills more often used in challenging underground environments to create high-performing workplaces. Offering sobering tales from underwater exploration and rescue, Volanthen draws parallels between cave diving and business environments, showing how to remain calm under pressure, make good decisions and work steadily toward goals, even in seemingly impossible situations. Perfect for audiences seeking inspiration, with a good dose of practical advice and realism.

  • Managing Risk - Keeping Calm in a Crisis

    Volanthen takes his audiences on a remarkable and unforgettable journey, deep into the Tham Luang caves of Thailand where he and his diving partner finally located the missing young soccer team and their coach in the summer of 2018. Volanthen’s gripping multimedia presentation follows the process the divers took to search for, find and help guide the boys to safety in a complex rescue that many believed would end in tragedy. Drawing on his thirty years of civilian cave exploration, diving, and rescue work, he shares the lessons that are key to performing under high-pressure and amid great uncertainty. Lessons he believes anyone can learn to lead with calm, focus, and certainty in any situation.

  • Resilience and Mental Strength

  • Working Together

John Volanthen Videos

  • John Volanthen: Inspire Your Organization to Acheive More
  • John Volanthen: Introduction to Caves and Cave Diving
  • John Volanthen BBC Points West Interview

John Volanthen Books

  • Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue
    Thirteen Lessons that Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue

FAQs on booking John Volanthen

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  • What topics does John Volanthen speak about?

  • Where does John Volanthen travel from?

    John Volanthen generally travels from UK, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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John Volanthen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Harnessing Teamwork and Trust, Diving Deeper Into Business, Managing Risk - Keeping Calm in a Crisis, Resilience and Mental Strength and Working Together. The estimated speaking fee range to book John Volanthen for your event is available upon request. John Volanthen generally travels from UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.), Jim Davidson, Bear Grylls, Andy Stumpf and Darren Edwards. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John Volanthen for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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