Occupant protection device for a vehicle

The passenger protection device has a folded protection element (1), e.g. a gasbag, which is deployed for providing a protective screen, shielding the head and thorax region of the passenger. At least one tensioning band (4) is tensioned between 2 spaced points (A,B) in the automobile when the protection element is deployed, for providing a barrier lying on the outside of the protection element.