Final answer:
Compressed oxygen cylinders are primarily used in medical settings to assist with breathing and in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. They are also essential to industrial processes like welding and hold future potential in fuel-cell vehicle technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compressed oxygen cylinders serve two primary uses in alternative settings. One major application is for medical purposes, where compressed oxygen helps patients with respiratory issues by improving their breathing, especially in cases of lung damage or during surgical procedures where anesthesia gases are utilized. Another significant use of compressed oxygen is in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is utilized for a variety of medical treatments, including assisting divers who have been affected by decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends".
Apart from medical applications, compressed oxygen is also vital in several industrial processes such as welding, where it is mixed with acetylene to create very hot flames necessary for metal fusion.
Alternative Uses of Compressed Oxygen Cylinders
Medical aid for patients with respiratory difficulties.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating diving-related illnesses and other conditions.
The distinct properties of oxygen as a non-flammable gas required for combustion highlight its importance in both healthcare and industrial settings, as well as its potential in future technologies such as fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs).