The link on chloroform did not say EXACTLY how long you have to breath it to cause unconsciousness. I found in other sources, it could take up to 2 - 5 minutes. But in the movies, it's like less than 10 seconds. Also it is impractical because the attacker would also breath in some vapour as well and he might become unconscious before the victim...You're wrong. Chloroform is an effective anesthesic; it depresses the CNS. However, it can cause cardiac arrhymia (sudden sniffer's death). Ether is more commonly used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroform
The choke hold
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokehold
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_hypoxia
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_damage_to_the_brain_after_10_minutes_without_oxygen Generally 3 minutes before brain damage occurs.
Tasers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taser
Tasers can be effective, but they are sending electrical impulses through the body which can stop the heart, and this has been determined in several situations in N.America.
Taser imoblizes the victim, but does it render him unconscious? Can he still scream while in pain? All the reference I could find on internet show taser applied to torso, never head. I am just curious if it has more effect if applied to head?