Tembo,

Depending on what your course would include, I think a comprehensive course would be valuable to everyone on this forum, whether they believe it or not.

There are obviously different kinds of obstacles and crimes which one could be exposed to on an adventure, some being petty theft, others resulting in death. I do not believe that having a happy smile and being friendly to the locals will benefit you in all situations. If one was a seasoned rider with 100 countries behind one, a tour guide with 50 years experience, someone riding a cheap bike, wearing scruffy clothes, tips or doesn't tip, it is impossible to see the real character and intention behind the smiles that you come across.

I'm speaking from experience. I was a hostage released from AQIM last year and it is incredible how quickly a beautiful adventure-filled day can turn into a nightmare with absolutely no warning signs.
What I speak of is obviously on one of the extremes of what can happen to one, but it does happen. Having lived it I can say that there are many things that I would liked to have been equipped with prior to being taken. Many things which we possibly see as not being important at the time and therefore overlook, things which have not even entered our minds, or other things which only happen to other people and are too outlandish to consider.

I too watched the Long-way Down and Round and thought that their hostage skit was ridiculous, laughable. In hindsight it probably was a bit ridiculous, but there are certainly things that one can take from it.

I think a course discussing how to prepare for a trip from a disaster point of view would be extremely beneficial. A discussion on what preventative measures one can take (besides a friendly smile) prior to heading off would be paramount. What to do the moment a problem arrives (ie: Long-way down skit etc....), Medical advice, Environmental survival advice, in my situation even weapon advice would have beneficial. Being able to understand the limitations of the human body from a hydration, hunger and physical exertion point of view. How far is 1 degree latitude and longitude in your particular place. There are even plenty of post event considerations that one should consider prior to heading off.

These are just a few examples of the things which would have benefited me. There are uncountable more which us travelers would actually enjoy to know because we enjoy the adventure.

Preparing for the trip from a mechanical point of view is one thing which one can take less seriously. In most places one can pop into a shop to fix a problem or else take a day or a week or just fly home. Not preparing from a disaster point of view is in fact incredibly selfish as this does not only affect you, it affects your family; wife; kids; friends and government.

Anyway, this is just what I've experienced.