Scott Stephens, of Manila, Calif., describes his wounds at a news conference at a hospital in Eureka, Calif., on Wednesday morning, Oct. 31, 2012, about 24 hours after he was attacked by a shark while paddling out to catch a wave near the entrance to Humboldt Bay, about 250 miles north of San Francisco. He required more than 100 staples to seal multiple gashes. (AP Photo/The Times-Standard, Shaun Walker)
Scott Stephens of Manila, Calif., is wheeled away to further treatment at a hospital in Eureka, Calif., on Wednesday morning, Oct. 31, 2012, about 24 hours after he was attacked by a shark while paddling out to catch a wave near the entrance to Humboldt Bay, about 250 miles north of San Francisco. Doctors say Stephens suffered at least seven deep lacerations, but none of his vital organs were damaged. He is listed in fair condition. (AP Photo/The Times-Standard, Shaun Walker)
Scott Stephens, of Manila, Calif., right, talks with surgeon John Van Speybroeck and emergency doctor Diana Yandell at a hospital in Eureka, Calif., on Wednesday morning, Oct. 31, 2012, a day after he was attacked by a shark while paddling out to catch a wave near the entrance to Humboldt Bay, about 250 miles north of San Francisco. Doctors say Stephens suffered at least seven deep lacerations, but none of his vital organs were damaged. He is listed in fair condition. (AP Photo/The Times-Standard, Shaun Walker)
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EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — Two Californians say they survived separate shark attacks over the past few days by punching the beast in the head.
Scott Stephens, of Manilla, says a great white pulled him underwater Tuesday at a popular surf spot off the coast of Eureka and let him go only after receiving the blows.
Doctors say Stephens suffered lacerations, but none of his vital organs was damaged. He talked about the ordeal Wednesday at a news conference reported by the Eureka Times-Standard (http://bit.ly/ScsMHU ).
Mariko Haugen, of Folsom, tells News10 (http://on.news10.net/TYY61W ) she was swimming with her husband off Maui, Hawaii, over the weekend when she encountered a tiger shark.
She says her martial arts training prepared her and she punched it twice.
Haugen was not bitten but did require stitches for some scratches.
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