Can punching a shark save you?

Punching a shark may help defend yourself in an attack. Experts in the Stuff You Should Know explained that punching a shark on the snout, where sensory organs like the ampullae of Lorenzini are located, can disrupt its electrical sensing and deter it temporarily 1. Another case from Paul de Gelder, a shark attack survivor, highlights that while he struggled to reach the shark's eye or grab its nose to fend it off, his attempts to punch it ultimately proved futile against the shark's powerful thrashing 2.

Overall, while aiming for sensitive areas like the snout or eyes might help in some scenarios, effectiveness can vary, and the situation can quickly become overwhelming due to the shark's strength and speed.