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.
Bristol, United Kingdom
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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.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
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.
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.
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.
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