All kidding aside.
Oliver, Nick, and others have put a lot of time and effort into this drawing from their years of experience on the water.
I commend you all! A lot of knowledge to respected and to be harvested.
I believe it is called seamanship as the only way you can get it is "time on the water". Emperical data rules in this area.

I just spent the last week being trained on one of many IPC Standard for Electronics.
IPC breaks it all down to only 3 levels!
Level 1 - Basically~Commercial/Non-critical.
Level 2 - Basically~Industrial/Reliable, but not life critical.
Level 3 - Military/NASA/Medical/Life Critical.

I like the simple 3 level system (as Jay states, and that we currently have), however I also like the description on "what to expect" (Min/Max)
Maybe:
Level "0" Picnics, Rescue Demos, Meet At The Beach, etc... (intro stuff)
Level "1" with "for more detail" ->-> level 0 min to level 1 max expectations
Level "2" with "for more detail" ->-> level 2 min to level 3 max expectations
Level "3" with "for more detail" ->-> level 4 min to level 5 max expectations
An executive summary with more details for the technically inclined (BTW I've found most serious kayakers, on any level, are technicaly inclined)

Furthermore, Regarding PFDs...
If your can walk on water (3 signed & notorized letters from registered psychiatrists), and/or
if you have gills (3 signed & notorized letters from MDs)
Otherwise you must wear a PFD as you are a land mammal out of your element. Accept it and deal with it.

My 2 cents.

Doug D.