I am somewhat a prepper.
Many people choose different approaches, some look to hunker down where they are so they can "wait things out", others have a bug out bag with a plan for where they will go if something happens.
I chose another approach, mobility. I have minimized my life to the point where I can carry everything I own in a carry on and backpack. I left the US and make sure that I am not tied down anywhere, my apartment has no lease, I have no utility contracts, my cell phone is prepaid. Sure, if something bad happened unexpectedly I would not be much better off than anyone else. But I think, just like MtGox, the signs will be there that I need to get out. With nothing holding me back I will be more likely to pick up and move and can do so at a moment's notice. I am becoming a global citizen where I can go to where there is the least amount of tyranny.
How does bitcoin help? I have all of my money with me, hardware encrypted, software encrypted with several passwords to go through before you can reach my bitcoins. No need to open bank accounts, establish a residence, etc. With localbitcoins I can get cash to pay my rent and buy food/gas.
Some jews made it out of Germany before the SHTF, some Russians got out of the USSR before the rise of communism, I will be one of those people that gets out early.
I'm not trying to be cheeky, but I'm really curious. Where would you go if we are faced with civilizational collapse? How would bitcoins help when bartering is probably the way to survive?
Throughout history there are several cases of localized collapse of civilization. Can you point to an instance where all at once, the whole world was met by an event that affected every civilization?
I see the US on the verge of collapse so I got out of there. I am in Europe now just because that was not such an extreme transition from the US.
But my 5 year plan involves buying a catamaran sailboat living anywhere. Getting used to being mobile and figuring out the ins and outs of getting services without a residence will help.