Recognising internal bleeding
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Internal bleeding is invisible but can be life-threatening. Recognising the signs is crucial.
What to do
• Watch the person for symptoms: pallor, cold clammy skin, a fast weak pulse
• Note whether there was any trauma (a fall, a blow, a road accident)
• Lay the person flat with the legs raised to improve blood flow to vital organs
• Keep the person warm with a blanket
• Call 112 immediately
Do not do
• Give nothing to eat or drink if internal bleeding is suspected
• Do not leave the person alone
• Do not give painkillers that can worsen bleeding (aspirin)
Warning signs
• Abdominal pain with pallor and weakness after trauma — a serious sign
• Blood in the urine or stool after trauma
Get help if
• Always: if you suspect internal bleeding, call 112 immediately
• The person loses consciousness or is very confused
Why this matters
Internal bleeding can be fatal quickly without surgery. Early recognition and calling 112 are the only meaningful actions.
Source: Rode Kruis Eerste Hulp · reviewed 2025-01-01