What I remember about the set up we used in Miramar in 88 timeframe is as follows:
Basically, it was in the edge of the pool and dumped you into the pool.
The ride was only about 8 feet long. You sat in a cart which was pulled up to the top with a pulley set up and hook on the back of the cart.
You had a lever you pulled to set the hook. If you pulled it a nano-second too early, it hit a bump before the "wire" and popped back up under the "Jet" and locked up for good...over the wire you went and into the drink. If you pulled it just right it fell right in front of the wire and you trapped. Too late and you went into the drink.