“It has been very helpful to be ready for just about anything. When things [Covid] first developed, things were changing so quickly. Our practices and policies were adapting to the circumstances daily.”
Despite its landlocked location, Idaho is known for its famous rivers and waterways. The ancient waters of the mighty Snake River split rugged canyons and often sated the parched lips of animals and man alike. Paramedic Rachel Bachman is no stranger to water and also to dangerous situations. She spent over fifteen years river-guiding, often needing to perform emergency services, especially when the unexpected arose.
Says Bachman, “Being involved with outdoor industry, mostly guiding services, I had been in performing medical emergencies, either witnessing or coming upon people in the mountains who were requiring medical attention. It inspired me to realize that I just wanted to be more helpful and learn more about emergency medicine so I could be of more use.”
Armed with an EMT basic certification Bachman returned to river guiding with a broader skillset. This acquired higher level of knowledge gave her more comfort if and when her assistance might be needed. And with this new certification, Bachman volunteered for the Stanley Ambulance Service in Stanley, Idaho.
Says Bachman, “The more medical calls I went on with them, the more inspired I became to learn more.”
After a couple of years of volunteer work with the Stanley Ambulance Service, this desire to further her training became the catalyst for her to enter paramedicine.
“I made the move to Boise to earn my paramedic certification, and found myself working for Ada County Paramedics. I was able to make the shift from the seasonal work of river guiding into a more stable career.”
Her background in river-guiding helped prepare her for working as a paramedic.
Says Bachman, “You never know what is going to happen. You have to be ready for anything. And be adaptable to circumstances changing. No call is ever the same. No shift is ever the same. You have to remain open-minded for anything that comes down the line.”
And this mindset of resiliency and adaptability has served her well during our current Covid crisis.
Says Bachman, “It has been very helpful to be ready for just about anything. When things [Covid] first developed, things were changing so quickly. Our practices and policies were adapting to the circumstances daily.”
It is with this sense of openness and teamwork that Bachman has found the right formula for keeping her team and our community safe and protected.
Says Bachman, “By trusting that our team at Ada County Paramedics was dedicated to doing the absolute best and finding the best solutions to keep our staff and the public safe, it allowed me to adapt more easily to all the changes.”
Though Bachman’s paramedic work keeps her busy here in the Treasure Valley, she still carves out time to be in the outdoors. In addition to her emergency medicine and river guiding skills, Bachman paints abstract landscapes and is often joined by her photographer husband,
“It has been fun at times to work together. We’ve been collaborating on ideas and projects.”
And this love of the outdoors keeps Bachman busy both professionally and personally.
Says Bachman, “I’ve always been passionate about the environment. Especially getting people out into the outdoors. This allows people to promote stewardship of our vulnerable lands and rivers. And it also enriches people’s lives. I still do river-guiding part-time as well as hiking and backpacking.”