When accepting help with a vehicular issue, always double check everything yourself

So, while we were out trying to patch the tire, and inflate the spare, I had inadvertently left the key in the ignition, and "On".  When we returned, and switched tires, etc, and loaded up to go, the vehicle would not start, as the battery was drained.

Another adult brought his vehicle over, and popped the hood, to offer the "jump start" mine.  I retrieved my jumper cables, and handed him one end, to make the connections to his battery.  After he had clipped the leads to the posts, I connected mine.  When I tried to ground the negative lead to the block, the arcing and spot welding started.  I quickly removed my lead.  The electrical in my vehicle would not respond at all.

Turns out the "helper" had not attached the leads to the posts on his battery correctly, reversing them, which was causing the issues to my vehicle.

Luckily, no permanent damage (that we know of, so far) occurred.

Long story short, even though you are in a hurry, and accept the assistance of others, it is your vehicle, and your responsibility to ensure the help you are getting is accurate and correct.  Don't assume that they know to connect the red clip on the jumper cable to the positive lead on the battery, etc.  Double check it or connect it yourself.