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.”
Most people don’t immediately drown during swimming lessons, so yeah knowing the motions to make means they should be able to handle calm water as long as they don’t panic. Heck, knowing how to do the dead man’s float is enough for the vast, vast majority of people to stay bought for a long period of time.
Toss them in a heavy current and odds of survival are minimal without prior practice.