Half hitch

The half Hitch, also known as Italian Hitch or Münter hitch, is a simple knot, commonly used by climbers and cavers as part of a life-lining or belay system. To climbers, this knot is also known as HMS, the abbrevation for the German term Halbmastwurfsicherung, meaning half hitch belay. Therefore, carabiners used for this belaying technique are called HMS carabiners.

Tying the half Hitch

It can be tied by following this diagram:

There are 4 steps:

1. Make a loop in the rope
2. Make another loop, but on the other side of the rope.
3. Fold the rope over between these two loops
4. put a large carabiner through both loops.

The resulting knot allows the rope to be moved back and forth, but the friction is high enough to control and even block the fall of a climber.