Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling occupant protection means in a vehicle. According to said method, a first crash variable (AAA), derived from the absolute value for the crash signal of a crash sensor, preferably from the acceleration signal of an acceleration sensor, is compared with a first firing threshold (th1a, th1b, th1c). In addition, a second crash variable (wj, wv, ws), derived in a different manner from the crash signal (a) of the crash sensor (1) is compared with a second firing threshold (th2a, th2b, th2c). The occupant protection means is only fired if the first crash variable (AAA) exceeds the first firing threshold value (th1a, th1b, th1c) and simultaneously the second crash variable (wj, wv, ws) exceeds the second firing threshold (th2a, th2b, th2c).