A 21-year-old Marine home on leave for a single day performed CPR that saved a 69-year-old man's life after the man collapsed on the ice at Valley Sports Arena in Concord on Friday, Aug. 21.

Cam Daley, a Concord-Carlisle High School alumnus and active-duty Marine, was skating during an open "stick time" session at the rink on Main Street when he heard Ryan Palmer shouting for help. Palmer, a CCHS chemistry teacher, had watched his friend Tim Kelley's face turn purple moments after Kelley went down.

Palmer started chest compressions but was "kind of freaking out," he told The Concord Bridge. Daley took over. He drew on training from Marine boot camp and years of instruction from his father, a Chelmsford firefighter and EMT.

While Daley worked, a team of CCHS hockey players sprang into action around him. Will Cook retrieved an AED from an adjoining rink. Cam's brother Declan Daley shuttled it onto the ice and slipped his Fitbit onto Kelley's wrist to check for a pulse. Braden Bialecki helped bring additional medical equipment to responders once they arrived. Dane Carter called 911.

Two days later, Palmer relayed what hospital doctors told the family: "The CPR that was given to him before the paramedics arrived is the only reason he's alive."

Kelley had only recently returned to hockey after years away from the sport. His family had encouraged him to join an adult recreational league, and he finished collecting new gear in July. The Aug. 21 session was just the second time he had worn the equipment, Palmer said. He and Palmer had been planning to play together in the league.

As of Monday, Aug. 24, Kelley was recovering in the hospital and was "up and talking," according to his son Eric Kelley, a nationally registered EMT. Tim Kelley sustained broken ribs from the compressions but told his family that was "better than the alternative (not being here)."

Eric Kelley said the quick response saved his father's life and protected his brain function. The longer someone goes without CPR, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage, he said. He urged community members to get CPR and AED training.

Cam Daley had shouted to young children nearby to stay away during the compressions. Palmer praised Daley's composure, noting he had the awareness to shield kids from the scene even while performing life-saving chest compressions.

Daley played on the CCHS boys hockey team before enlisting. Declan Daley and Bialecki currently skate for the CC Patriots, and Cook said he plans to try out this year.

Doctors were still working to determine what caused Kelley's collapse as of Aug. 24.