Passive airbag venting with guide

An apparatus (10) for protecting an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) disposed between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant is inflatable. A vent (110) has at least one opening (114) for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (110) has an actuated state and an unactuated state. A guide belt (113) is connected to the ventilation flap (120). A Entluftungsgurt (112) is connected to the protection device (14) and has a guide (123) in such a way with the guide strap (113) is connected, that the guide (123) and the guide strap (113) are displaceable relative to each other. A voltage on the Entluftungsgurt (112) brings a tension to the guide belt (113) on to actuate the vent (110). The vent (110) is designed so that in the unactuated state, it is initially upon initial deployment of the protective device (14), wherein the further deployment of the protective device (14) to a predetermined extent causing the Entluftungsgurt (112) acts on the guide belt (113) to enable the vent (110) in the actuated state.