Ice moduli may be determined from acoustic velocities measured via techniques such as resonance vibration of ice rods, seismic and flexural wave measurement, and propagation of high‐frequency pulses in core samples. However, due to the porous nature of sea ice, handling procedures can alter the brine volume of, and introduce air into, the saline ice. This in turn changes velocities from theirin situvalues. This is demonstrated with velocities measured during temperature cycling of an ice core sample. These results indicate the advantages of a pulse‐type experiment designed to allow rapid measurement of velocities and related ice properties in the field. One such design is presented, including the equipment used, and then experimental results obtained are related to the elastic moduli of a sealed‐pore Biot porous media model of sea ice. The expressions for the longitudinal and shear velocities in ice, derived assuming a sealed‐pore structure, most generally apply to sea ice away from the growing ice/water interface. The results from the type of analysis presented here ultimately lead to prediction of the acoustic impedance layers in sea ice, a crucial factor in understanding and predicting acoustic propagation processes involving sea ice. [Work supported by ONT with technical management by NOARL.]