Hello from KY! Could use a little help please.

Hello all! I am a single diver located in wester KY. I am currently a Dive Control Specialist, working on Open Water Scuba Instructor. I was referred to this site because I'm seeking a little help. I am also taking an entry level technical diving class (Adv. Nitrox & Deco Procedures). Actually I'm retaking it. I got through the pool & classroom session a year & a half ago, I tried it in recreational gear, but it prove not to be at all user friendly, then changed my recreational configuration over to a technical one. It has taken me this long to get comfortable with the new configuration, so have not finished up the open water portion yet. One of our stress tests for the class is a 25yd (75ft) breath hold swim in full scuba gear (doubles & all). I have so far made it about 50 ft in that full rig & about 60ft in a single tank. Each time I try, I get just a smidgen further, but still no cigar. I did manage to do it in the first round of classes I did a year & a half ago. We will probably try to do this again in a week or 2 when the class meets again. Any way, I'm looking for some suggestions, hints or what ever to be able to accomplish this goal of making this swim first in a single tank, then eventually in doubles. I'll be the first to admit, I'm not in the best of shape anymore, but I'm not horrible either. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so very much.

This is a stress drill to simulate an Out of Air situation in an overhead environment, in which you must swim to either a buddy or stage bottle. I did manage to finally make it a couple of nights ago in a single tank & split fins (after assisting with a class). I'm hoping that I might also be able to transfer that small victory to being able to do it in full technical rig.

I made it last night in doubles! I was assisting with a class & decided to give it a try & made it! Yea!!!!!!

Most of the diving here is in old flooded rock quarries that have been set up for scuba divers. I do not have any desire right now to dive any rivers as they typically have 0 vis & dangerous currents. I have also dove a couple of old flooded strip mine pits. I frequent one quarry in Hopkinsville, KY the most & a quarry near Louisville, KY & Near Metropolis, IL. The Hopkinsville & Metropolis quarries get about 120ft deep. The Technical course I'm going through right now is an Adv. Nitrox & Decompression Procedures. Kind of an intro to Tech diving. I will very soon be taking a cavern & overhead environment course & hopefully on to cave diving in a year or 2.