Carabiners like this one,
are called HMS carabiners. Why are they called that and what does HMS stand for?
Carabiners like this one,
are called HMS carabiners. Why are they called that and what does HMS stand for?
These types of carabiners are designed to be used with a Munter Hitch. The Munter Hitch was created by a Swiss mountain guide named Werner Munter who called it,
Halbmastwurfsicherung, meaning half clove hitch belay.
The abbreviation for Halbmastwurfsicherung is HMS and that is why the large/pear shaped carabiners are called HMS carabiners.