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.
Want to book John Volanthen for your next event?
Email john.volanthen@getapeptalk.com, 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.
Please note: we can only assist with speaking requests. For anything else, we recommend reaching out to John Volanthen directly.
What topics does John Volanthen specialise in?
John Volanthen specialises in talking about cave diving, underwater rescue, equipment innovation and more.
What is John Volanthen's speaking style like?
John delivers captivating sessions that inspire and engage, leaving audiences in awe. His storytelling and unique approach resonate deeply, making him a highly recommended speaker for any event. __
Does John Volanthen offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, John Volanthen offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.
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