diff --git a/gui/notify.lua b/gui/notify.lua
index 1b1ae6e57..b29a5fc9f 100644
--- a/gui/notify.lua
+++ b/gui/notify.lua
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ NotifyOverlay = defclass(NotifyOverlay, overlay.OverlayWidget)
 NotifyOverlay.ATTRS{
     default_enabled=true,
     frame={w=30, h=LIST_MAX_HEIGHT+2},
-    overlay_onupdate_max_freq_seconds=5,
 }
 
 function NotifyOverlay:init()
@@ -71,11 +70,6 @@ end
 function NotifyOverlay:overlay_onupdate()
     local choices = {}
     local is_adv = dfhack.world.isAdventureMode()
-    if is_adv then
-        self.overlay_onupdate_max_freq_seconds=0
-    else
-        self.overlay_onupdate_max_freq_seconds=5
-    end
     for _, notification in ipairs(notifications.NOTIFICATIONS_BY_IDX) do
         if not notifications.config.data[notification.name].enabled then goto continue end
         local fn = get_fn(notification, is_adv)
diff --git a/internal/notify/notifications.lua b/internal/notify/notifications.lua
index 0cdc72550..af5a6612b 100644
--- a/internal/notify/notifications.lua
+++ b/internal/notify/notifications.lua
@@ -494,6 +494,7 @@ NOTIFICATIONS_BY_IDX = {
         name='suffocation_adv',
         desc='Shows a suffocation bar when you are drowning or breathless.',
         default=true,
+        critical=true,
         adv_fn=curry(get_bar, function() return get_breath() < get_max_breath() end, "Suffocation!", COLOR_LIGHTCYAN),
         on_click=nil,
     },
@@ -501,6 +502,7 @@ NOTIFICATIONS_BY_IDX = {
         name='bleeding_adv',
         desc='Shows a bleeding bar when you are losing blood.',
         default=true,
+        critical=true,
         adv_fn=curry(get_bar, function() return get_blood() < get_max_blood() end, "Bloodloss!", COLOR_RED),
         on_click=nil,
     },