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Richard Stanton

Civilian Cave Diver, Played Leading Role in Tham Luang Cave Rescue

First to make contact with Thai soccer team, Rick played a leading role in the rescue
No stranger to high-stress situations and crisis management, Rick spent 25 years as a firefighter
Shares the incredible story of the rescue mission, and lessons learned

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Richard William Stanton MBE is a British civilian cave diver who specializes in rescues through the Cave Rescue Organisation and the British Cave Rescue Council.

Rick is from Coventry and was formerly a firefighter with the West Midlands Fire Service for 25 years prior to his retirement. Rick has been recognized as a leading cave diver, and in 2012 he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire. He has participated in numerous cave diving rescues and recoveries including the 2004 rescue of six British soldiers who were trapped for eight days in a flooded cave in Mexico.

In 2018 he played a leading role in the Tham Luang youth soccer team cave rescue. Rick and diving partner John Volanthen were the first to make contact with the team and played a leading role in the successful rescue thereafter.

Achieving The Impossible. In a gripping presentation, Rick Stanton takes audiences on the journey of a lifetime into the dark and deep caves of Thailand. The veteran cave diver tells the story of orchestrating the rescue of the scared team in the Tham Luang caves of Thailand in the summer of 2018. He then goes on to detail the crucial role he played in the rescue operation.

With heart-pounding anecdotes from the ordeal, Stanton hammers home the importance of perseverance, determination, and preparation, and explains why he believes success in life is rarely due to “luck.” Stanton eloquently describes what it was like to be there and the joy he felt when it was all over. Uplifting and memorable, Rick’s story is truly inspiring.