A South Australian paramedic has continued to give the gift of life even in death.

Russell Liston, a 34-year-old intensive care paramedic, died earlier this month while en route to a working holiday in Canada, after falling from his second floor hostel balcony in Santa Monica, California.

Mr Liston, an organ donor, donated his organs to up to eight people.

As SA Ambulance prepares to give Mr Liston a full service funeral, Paramedics Australasia paid tribute to a “valued member” on its website.

“This is a sad loss to all of us. Paramedics Australasia sends its deepest sympathy to Russell’s family, friends and work colleagues,” the website stated.

“Russell did however leave a legacy by being an organ donor and provided life and hope to others that he did not know or never met, but did give them a second chance.”

Mr Liston, an avid mountain bike rider, was just one day into a planned six-month working holiday in Canada.

Late last year, Mr Liston spoke out publicly to urge others to be safe on the roads and survive the Christmas holiday period.

Mr Liston told a local newspaper that the chaos and twisted metal of a crash scene often stayed with paramedics, long after they had clocked off.

“When we arrive, we’re focused on doing our job, but it’s when you get home that you start to think about the patient and their families,” he said.