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.”
Being put in a situation meant to induce panic with restrains, gear, and objectives is very different from surviving if someone falls into a body of water.
Sure, reading a book probably won’t do much if you capsize in rough waters or have tread water for minutes to hours. I think that if someone were to have a controlled drop in a deep pool, they would have a much higher chance of success if they’ve read about basic water survival techniques vs someone who hasn’t. Panic is still for sure the biggest factor, but having any amount of knowledge is still better than having none.
Most of the people who get into trouble in the water and need to be rescued already know how to swim. My point wasn’t that they should be afraid of swimming, it was book learning isn’t going to help, and what they read in a book is going to be the first thing to go if they do panic. Which is likely what will happen if they read a book thinking they’re learning to swim and then go try it.
Go to a pool. Get in the shallow end and practice putting your face under water. That’ll be far more useful than reading about how to do a breast stroke.