Squad School, New York

Flip on the TV these days and chances are, you'll find some sort of survival show hosted by a survival expert. It's one thing to be familiar with the skills demonstrated in such shows, but enacting them in an actual survival situation is a completely different story. And that's where Squad School steps in. Founder Dan Boyle, and his team of 3-decorated US military veterans——teach students basic rifle safety and marksmanship, urban self-defense, and remote wilderness survival through an assortment of different classes. Here are a few of their offerings:

• Manhattan Marksman provides an introduction to marksmanship with an actual rifle, teaching you how to handle and operate it safely and how to fire a well-aimed shot.

• Urban Field Craft shares tactics for surviving a catastrophic situation in the city, especially when you're by yourself and you've forgotten the phone number of the local superhero.

• Tuff Turf explains steps for disarming attackers and taking them to the ground. This class emphasizes the importance of carrying yourself with awareness and confidence.

• Elite Survival is a five-day workshop that educates you on how to survive in the wild through contemporary elements of fieldcraft, from establishing shelter to staying hydrated.