1. A method for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle, comprising the steps of: acquiring data from at least one sensor relating to an occupant in a seat to be protected by the occupant protection device; classifying the type of occupant based on the acquired data; when the occupant is classified as an empty seat or a rear-facing child seat, disabling or adjusting deployment of the occupant protection device; otherwise classifying the size of the occupant based on the acquired data; determining the position of the occupant by means of one of a plurality of algorithms selected based on the classified size of the occupant using the acquired data, each of the algorithms being applicable for a specific size of occupant, and disabling or adjusting deployment of the occupant protection device when the determined position of the occupant is more likely to result in injury to the occupant if the occupant protection device were to deploy