Worrying stuff indeed, it shouldn't put anyone off though, not much more than a novice myself I've been on trips with quite a few people I've been in contact with only through the internet prior to the trip and fortunately I've always had fantastic trips with people I've had alot of confidence in. :hug:
Comparing my experiences with the account related here though there are plenty of warnings that all was not well. I'll detail them below as a guide to what to look for in future.
1. This chap seems to have been able to quickly organise a trip within a couple of weeks of joining a group - proper caving trips take months of planning with many emails/forum posts/pub discussions, however no firm decisions should be made beyond which region the trip will take place in until the night before.
2. Everyone seems to have met at the right cave at the right time - ideally at least one person should be in the wrong place on the wrong day, preferably the leader of the trip. At the very least the majority of participants should still be in their sleeping bags.
3. It appears he not only brought himself a matching pair of wellies but everyone else as well! - At the very least the leader should have forgotten his wellies or bought his wifes, several sizes too small. A really good sign is if he has brought one of his and one of his wifes (both the same foot).
4. The oversuits lent out were worn out and taped up - in itself very promising however there is no mention of the tape falling off at the furthest point from the entance and the suits disintegrating.
5. Again no mention of lights without batteries or brought along uncharged - what an oversight.
Many thanks to all those who've taken me on trips

, joking apart thank goodness I've never been with this lad.