SIDE AIRBAG DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SIDE AIRBAG DEVICE

A side airbag device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag, in which, in the event of an impact, gas is introduced by a gas generator of the side airbag device. The airbag includes drain valve for removing the gas immediately after the impact. The device also includes an electronic computing unit and a further drain valve and/or a further gas generator. A passenger of the motor vehicle is detected by a detection unit. The device is filled with the gas in the event of the impact to protect this passenger. The electronic computing unit is configured, depending on the detected passenger, to determine a gas pressure in the airbag by actuation of the further drain valve or the further gas generator before the impact and to adapt the gas pressure to the passengers during the impact.