If a person reads a lot of theory about how to swim, different types of techniques, other people’s written experiences etc., can they swim if thrown in a deep swimming pool? Or, at least, be able to swim enough to reach the steep end and save themselves from drowning?
By “a lot”, I mean spending over 6 months to a year, gaining theoretical knowledge. And when we throw them in the pool, they are willing to try it, as in, “I have learnt enough, and I am willing to try it out.”
There’s also the mental load to take into account.
If it’s your first time in water, you’re prone to panicking.
Especially when your head gets submerged for the first time.
So I think even if you integrate all the theory, you still need to be very careful and slow on your first try for this to succeed.