> Trusted emergency contacts must be existing Bitwarden users

While the motivation is similar this basically kills the feature. It requires that your friends not only use but continue to maintain their accounts.

From my understanding of OP's implementation, being completely offline they can basically just keep the key on a USB or file store of any kind.

Personally I think the most robust solution is single key access (a la emergency kit), distributed in one or more secure bank vaults for redundancy (many still do offer these for free or cheaply for small boxes). Put instructions in your (living) will and done.

> just keep the key on a USB or file store of any kind

Similar arguments could be made against this too: trusted contacts need to make sure the USB isn't damaged or lost and that the files haven't been corrupted. At the end of the day, these types of recovery flows require some level of engagement which in itself is an issue since human beings are very flawed.