Apparatus for operating a cold gas generator for a safety device for a vehicle, wherein the cold gas generator has a tank for storing gas and the tank has an outlet opening for the gas, which outlet opening is closed by a closure element, and wherein the apparatus has the following features: a first connection for a first connection line for providing a first operating voltage potential and a second connection for a second connection line for providing a second operating voltage potential; an electrical coil, which is configured, in response to a coil current, to actuate a closure device for controlling a flow of gas through the outlet opening, wherein the coil has a first coil contact and a second coil contact and is connected between the first connection and the second connection; an ignition device, which is configured to ignite in response to an ignition current in order to open the closure element, wherein the ignition device has a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact and is connected between the first connection and the second connection; and a diode having an anode contact and a cathode contact, wherein the diode is connected in parallel or in series with the ignition device between the first connection and the second connection, characterized in that the apparatus has a detection device, which is configured to detect a value of a current flowing through the first connection, an adjustment device, which is configured to adjust the current depending on the value, and a determination device, which is configured to determine a period depending on the value, during which period the closure element and the closure device release the outlet opening in order to allow gas to flow out through the outlet opening, wherein the adjustment device is configured to connect the first connection to the first operating voltage potential via the first connection line and to connect the second connection to the second operating voltage potential via the second connection line until the value of the current reaches a maximum threshold value (I_Fmax) and is configured to isolate the first connection from the first operating voltage potential and to isolate the second connection from the second operating voltage potential after the value of the current has reached the maximum threshold value (I_Fmax). a first connection for a first connection line for providing a first operating voltage potential and a second connection for a second connection line for providing a second operating voltage potential; an electrical coil, which is configured, in response to a coil current, to actuate a closure device for controlling a flow of gas through the outlet opening, wherein the coil has a first coil contact and a second coil contact and is connected between the first connection and the second connection; an ignition device, which is configured to ignite in response to an ignition current in order to open the closure element, wherein the ignition device has a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact and is connected between the first connection and the second connection; and a diode having an anode contact and a cathode contact, wherein the diode is connected in parallel or in series with the ignition device between the first connection and the second connection, characterized in that the apparatus has a detection device, which is configured to detect a value of a current flowing through the first connection, an adjustment device, which is configured to adjust the current depending on the value, and a determination device, which is configured to determine a period depending on the value, during which period the closure element and the closure device release the outlet opening in order to allow gas to flow out through the outlet opening, wherein the adjustment device is configured to connect the first connection to the first operating voltage potential via the first connection line and to connect the second connection to the second operating voltage potential via the second connection line until the value of the current reaches a maximum threshold value (I_Fmax) and is configured to isolate the first connection from the first operating voltage potential and to isolate the second connection from the second operating voltage potential after the value of the current has reached the maximum threshold value (I_Fmax).