John Volanthen is a world Record-Holding Cave Diver Who Played a Leading Role in the 2018 Tham Luang Thailand Cave Rescue. We are delighted to announce that he will be joining us at EA Masters on 21st September at Evolution, London.
- The first diver to locate and contact the missing youth Thai soccer team, the events of which are chronicled in the National Geographic documentary The Rescue and an upcoming Hollywood film starring Colin Farrell
- Described as the “A Team” of diving rescues by the British Cave Rescue Council, he also planned and executed the team’s rescue
- Tells the incredible story of the Thai rescue and shares why great feats are rarely due to “luck” but rather determination and preparation
John Volanthen is a world record-holding British cave diver who has been involved in cave exploration and rescue for more than two decades. Volanthen began caving at the age of 14 and has been at the forefront of cave exploration since. In 2018, he played a key role in the Tham Luang Thailand cave rescue and was named one of TIME magazine’s “Heroes of the Year.” The courageous mission was chronicled in the National Geographic documentary The Rescue, as well as the book Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue. Volanthen will be played by Colin Farrell in an upcoming Hollywood movie telling the story of the Thai Cave Rescue.
Volanthen has been involved in exploring and mapping caves throughout the world, often with dive partner Rick Stanton. Volanthen and Stanton attended the Tham Luang incident in Thailand, where the duo were able to locate the missing children — something not even special forces were able to do. They then planned and executed their successful rescue, leading the team two-and-a-half kilometers through the flooded caves. A video of Volanthen and Stanton making initial contact with the team has since gone viral globally. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Volanthen takes his audiences on an unforgettable journey deep into the Tham Luang caves of Thailand as he shares lessons that are key to performing in high-pressure situations and reveals how those principles can be applied by any organization working toward its goals.
In 2004, Volanthen and Stanton set a British record for greatest depth achieved in a British cave, cave diving 76 meters (249 feet) at Wookey Hole in Somerset. Additionally, in 2011, Volanthen, set a world record for longest cave penetration dive, over 10 kilometers in the Pozo Azul cave system in northern Spain, involving a multi-day operation.
Volanthen has designed and built diving equipment for 20 years, adapting units commercially available, and building other equipment to meet the unique requirements of individual caves. Problem solving and ‘out of the box’ thinking have been pivotal to his success.
In addition to Tham Luang, John has been involved in a number of other search, rescue, and recovery incidents around the world and has been awarded the George Medal for bravery. He is one of only two people to have been awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold medals by the Royal Humane society for his efforts.
John Volanthen is just one of several speakers – tickets are limited. Buy yours today. www.eamasters.co.uk/tickets