Sports teams and societies from De Montfort University students' union (DSU) will be getting training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation today (Wednesday 7 October) from the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT) and Leicestershire Heartsafe.

They'll also learn how to use a defibrillator and other vital skills that could one day be used to save a life.

The training, called Joe's Mini HeartStart for Sports, is offered free to community sports clubs and groups by the JHMT, as part of the charity's work to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths.

And it's taking place during SADS Awareness Week (3-10 October), a week of events aimed at encouraging people to #beHeartsafe and learn more about sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).

SADS and other undiagnosed heart conditions can strike at any time, often affecting young people who seem fit and healthy. These conditions can be triggered by exercise, but the message is not to stop playing sports – it's to make sure that you play in an environment where you, and the people around you, know what to do in an emergency.

DSU sports clubs and societies taking part in the training will include disciplines as diverse as American football, equestrianism, lacrosse, women's football, canoeing and tae-kwon do.

Tom Nicholls, volunteer and societies manager at DSU, said: "I think it's really important to equip our students with all the necessary skills they might need when out at a training session, a match or a rehearsal – or, in fact, anywhere. We want to continue to work in partnership with the JHMT to aid our students as best we can to not only be the most educated, but the most rounded students they can be."

Dr Mike Ferguson, medical lead for the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust said: " We are delighted to have established this key partnership with DSU since 2013, as it's vitally important that the student population in the city and county is fully aware of SADS.

"We're also really pleased that we can offer this essential training to such a large and diverse group of students from DSU sports clubs and societies. Every person we train is a potential life-saver. Recognising any warning signs and acting promptly can mean the difference between life and death.

"It's fitting that this training takes place during SADS Awareness Week. Together, we can break the silence on SADS and work to improve the shocking statistics on sudden heart deaths."

To get involved with SADS Awareness Week and JHMT's #beHeartsafe campaign, follow the Trust on Twitter at @JHMTorguk or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JHMTorguk

You can also visit the website at www.jhmt.org.uk